Tony HAWKINS Obituary

It was the irrepressible Tony Hawkins who was mostly responsible for me heading to teach at Bethlehem College. Always cheerful, always challenging us to teach with a biblical worldview, always supportive and inspiring. He was a humble leader and worthy of honour.

Tony Hawkins was my Maths and scripture teacher and i have fond memories of a Godly man who taught his subjects with authority and passion, passion to serve Jesus in all he did. He was also my combi driver and he taught us all to sing scripture songs one which still sticks with me "He owns the Cattle on a thousand Hill....." He also loved to play soccer and was fiercely competitive. Above all he was a man who loved the Lord and shared that love with many.

I first met Tony and Kathleen when Tony was the speaker at a Celebration Singers camp at Living Springs in the late 70s. From that first meeting, they went on to be very special friends and "spiritual parents" to me. Tony made very determined efforts to get me to Bethlehem College to work in the library there, however, I had returned from mission service in Pakistan to be nearer my Dad after Mum died and I realised that I wouldn't have been any more support to Dad if I lived in Tauranga than I was in Pakistan. I still remember Tony's prayer at our wedding in 2004 as well as many occasions when he asked me "What is God telling you?" and the many times I shared a prayer need with him and he would say "Tony will pray". I enjoyed visits to Tauranga to stay with them, most recently when on home leave from Cambodia. Tony, your legacy will live on in the lives of countless young people to whom you were so much more than a maths teacher. To me, you were a very special friend and Christian mentor and you will be sadly missed.

A wonderful and inspirational teaching colleague. A gracious brother in Christ. Tony's contribution to Christian education in general and in particular MGS and Bethlehem College was significant. I have great memories of teaching mathematics in adjacent classrooms and sharing the same office. Fun and Christian fellowship with Tony will always be fond memories.
Well done good and faithful servant, enjoy your Lord forever.

Mr Hawkins - a brilliant, kindhearted, man of God. What a treasure he was to those around him.
I honour him and thank the Lord for the gift he was to me (and my family) during my days at Bethlehem College.
This is not goodbye, but rather see you later.
To his family - May God comfort you and give you peace as you celebrate a beautiful life and enjoy the memories of time past.

We honour the memory of both Tony and Kathleen, two of the Lord's special people. Tony was most significant in the early days of Bethlehem College and we pay tribute to his rich contribution. A special thank you for introducing Jeanette to the web site of blueletterbible.

A great maths teacher - very funny, and effective, in his teaching - and as my friend's Dad, he was also kind, generous, and fun - I especially remember an "icecream crawl" in their old white and gold Holden Kingswood. Happy memories. RIP Tony

One of the most gracious people I ever had the privilege to know and work with. Gone home to the Lord so we will meet again. Reunited with Kathleen. Both such special friends who are missed. My sincere condolences to the family.

I discovered I could understand maths and get good results in High School, thanks to Mr Hawkins teaching. He was inspirational. Many in our class punched above their weight in maths with his teaching. I was in the same class as Paul.
My thoughts are with his family at this time.

It was Mr Hawkins who instilled in me a love of maths in the 4th form. His humor and quirky approach to the classroom always kept things interesting. I still remember him getting us up to sing silly songs when our attention waned ('Be kind to your web-footed friends' being a particular favourite).

40+ years later I hope my own teaching has been influenced by his approach, even if I'm not teaching maths.

My condolences and best wishes to his friends and family.

Mr Hawkins, was firstly my Combi Driver where we used to sing songs all the way to school.
Then in High School he was my Math teacher.
He rang me after I left school. Great memories of happy school days with Mr Hawkins.
Thinking and praying for all his family.

Tony was a much valued staff member at Middleton Grange School for many years. Always with a smile and a good sense of humour. Sincere condolences to Tony´s family.