Edward J. Hawkins

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June 24, 1927 - January 15, 2010

Rest In Peace

Edward Jackson Hawkins

Edward Jackson Hawkins, 82, of Keswick, Virginia passed away on January 15, 2010 while in hospice care at theChristopher Center of Our Lady of Peace in Charlottesville, Virginia. Ed left us quietly in his sleep after a long illness.

Ed enjoyed a long and successful career as a tax attorney. He spent most of his career in private practice with the global law firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, LLP, first in Cleveland, OH and later in Washington DC. He was a member of the bar in both Ohio and Washington, DC. He was a cornerstone of SS&D's tax practice for over 40 years and was instrumental in establishing it as one of the firm's core practice areas. Ed's clients valued his work so highly that they convinced him to continue his work for them in an Of Counsel position until he finally stepped down in 2000, four years after his official "retirement." Longtime SS&D Chairman, Tom Stanton, called Ed one of the "giants who helped build the firm. His intellect coupled with his humor and self-effacing manner was admired by all."

Throughout his career, Ed was interested in tax policy itself, particularly in the simplification of the tax code, and actively worked toward that goal. He was a member of many tax organizations, a frequent speaker and writer on a range of tax topics and testified in front of the House Ways and Means Committee on tax simplification. His 40-year involvement with the ABA's Tax Section, serving as its Vice Chair of Government Relations from 1987 to 1989, was a particular focus of his efforts over the years.

In 1979 Ed was tapped by Senator Russell Long (D) to become the first Chief Tax Counsel to the Senate Finance Committee, initially as Majority Tax Counsel from 1979 to 1980, then as Minority Tax Counsel in 1981. In his three years in Washington, DC, Ed worked effectively across party lines and was instrumental in getting a series of tax simplification initiatives enacted. With names as the "Technical Corrections Act," the "Installment Sales Revision Act," the "Bankruptcy Tax Act" and the "Subchapter S Revision Act," they made meaningful progress in simplifying important portions of the tax code and were accomplishments of which Ed was justifiably proud.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ed is remembered for his fascination with history and current events, a notorious dry humor, love of reading, gardening, music, and his exacting standards - for himself most of all. He thought deeply about many issues, and often wrote to friends and family in his simple and engaging way, full of his dry humor and always articulating a new or intriguing point of view. This was true starting from his childhood "newspapers" chronicling the course of WWII to his annual Christmas letters to his commentaries on any number of political issues of the day. He never failed to make his readers laugh and think - and look forward to his next missive.

Ed's honesty, integrity, and kindness - and his independence and strength of spirit to live by those values every day - most set him apart. Ed lived his values throughout his life, in his refusal to join any organization that discriminated against minorities, in his scrupulous attention to office timesheets and expense reports, and in his fairness in dealing with all, friends and adversaries alike. Everyone quickly learned of Ed's inherent sense of fairness, from his children in their annual negotiations of contracts laying out their responsibilities and potential remunerations, to senior level IRS officials determining multi-million dollar settlements, and came to admire and trust his judgment.

On the personal side, Ed was a devoted family man. His total commitment to and support of all the various members of his family was unconditional. He was intensely interested in family history and took great initiative to stay in touch and document all aspects of his extended family. His particular interest in his great grandfather, Amos Jackson, Colonel in the Union Army, physician and Mayor of Fall River, was always a topic of conversation with Ed. His interest in and concern for family continued until his final days as he reveled in hearing reports of friends, colleagues, siblings, children and grandchildren.

Edward was a constant and constructive presence for his four children with his first wife, Barbara R. Hawkins, as they grew up in Cleveland, OH and Washington, DC. Whether it was advising on homework or intricately planning annual family vacations or intrepidly filming high school soccer games in the pouring rain or simply being at his desk every night and willing to talk, Ed could always be counted on for sound advice and support.

In 1999 Ed married Janet Schwerdt and they enjoyed gardening, traveling and learning together. Over the last 10 years they enjoyed trips to numerous spots across Europe as well as annual winter visits to Mexico. Ed also became close to his two step children, Todd and Stacy, as well as the broader Schwerdt family. Janet's loving care for Ed, particularly over his last few years, was a tremendous source of comfort and peace to him to the very end.

Ed was born on June 24, 1927 in Fall River, Massachusetts to Ed J. Hawkins, Sr. and Harriet Sherman Hawkins. Ed spent most of his childhood in Walpole, MA attending Walpole Public Schools through the 11th grade. He won a scholarship toPhillips Andover Academy for his senior year from where he graduated in 1945. Ed entered Princeton University in the fall of 1945 but was drafted in October. He served in the US Army Quartermaster Core, primarily at Fort Devens, MA, until he was honorably discharged in November of 1947.

Ed then returned to Princeton from which he graduated summa cum laude in 1950 with a degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. His thesis, "Capital Formation in the United Kingdom in 1948" won both the Herrick and Larkin prizes and earned a plaudit from his advisor, noted economist Jacob Viner, as "intellectual fireworks." In addition, he was the President of the Whig-Clio Society and a member of Quadrangle Club. Ed then attended Harvard Law School, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1953, winning the Beale Prize and serving as an Editor of the Harvard Law Review.

Ed is survived by his wife, Janet, five siblings, Sherman Hawkins of Hershey, PA, Dick Hawkins of Oconomowoe, WI, John Hawkins of NYC, Mary Sachs of New York City, and Jim Hawkins of Attleboro, MA. In addition, he is survived by his first wife, Barbara Hawkins and their 4 children, Dan Hawkins of Newton, MA, George Hawkins of Washington, DC, Rob Hawkins of Cleveland, OH, and Harriet Hawkins Quigley of Livermore, CA, 2 step children, Todd Hack of Denver, CO and Stacy Hall of Atlanta, GA, and 15 grandchildren.

Ed will be buried in the Hawkins family plot at the Maple Grove Cemetery on January 23, 2010 in Walpole Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund in Ed’s memory has been established with Christopher Center in Charlottesville, VA. Further information can be found at http://www.edhawkins.info/memorialinfo.html.

Christopher Center, in memory of Edward J. Hawkins
Our Lady of Peace
751 Hillsdale Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901