Known just about everywhere in Sedona by his warm, engaging smile and inspiring personality, salesman, businessman and community booster Howard Hawk died Monday, July 27. He was 91.

Hawk performed many jobs during his lifetime, but took special pride in his talent as a seller, emblazing a personalized pen with the phrase “Still a Salesman” at the time of his 91st birthday.

“He had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the world,” said Vice Mayor John Bradshaw, who knew Hawk since the time Bradshaw was a child.

Hawk’s salesmanship came in handy during his years in Sedona, where he helped found two rotary clubs and raised tens of thousands of dollars for local causes.

“He was always interested in making Sedona a better place,” said Alan Everett, mayor of Sedona from 1998 to 2002.

He was the inspiration for the annual Howard Hawk Charity Golf Tournament that raises tens of thousands of dollars for charity in Sedona and around the world every year, said Rick Wesselhoff, a local real estate broker and fellow Rotarian.

“Howard was a Sedona legend and for those of us lucky enough to be in contact with him, we will miss him dearly,” Wesselhoff said.

Bradshaw agreed, explaining Hawk had a “huge influence” on his life.

“I try to live my life like Howard every day,” Bradshaw said.

Born in Kingsport, Tenn., on Nov. 11, 1917, Hawk’s family moved to California when he was 5 years old.

A man of numerous skills and occupations, Hawk eventually becoming an asphalt paving contractor, a heavy equipment operator and a trailer manufacturer.

After moving to Sedona in 1968, he built and operated the Hawk Eye Trailer Park in Uptown Sedona.

Hawk was also one of city’s first locksmiths and sold safes and office equipment, but he was probably best known in Sedona for selling promotional advertising merchandise.

His own “best customer,” Hawk delighted in handing out trinkets and pens bearing his name. Most recently he ventured into commercial embroidery services with his wife.

Hawk and his wife were friends for 25 years

before they married. Both lost spouses to Alzheimer’s disease, Donna Hawk

said.

About a week after her husband, Bill Steinbach, passed away in 2001, Hawk called his future wife and invited to her to play golf. Golfing with Hawk helped her get through the grieving process, she said. Their friendship soon grew into a romance.

“He had the most positive attitude of anybody I’ve ever known,” Hawk said. “Just a naturally happy person.”

Hawk volunteered to serve with the Sea Bees during World War II and was stationed on the island of Tinian in the South Pacific during his service. An amateur photographer while serving in the Sea Bees, pictures Hawk snapped of life during wartime were displayed by the University of Guam.

For nearly 70 years, Hawk’s true passion was golf, Donna Hawk said.

“He played well and often and sought out courses across the country during his motor home travels,” she said.

Even though he was not able to play much in recent months, her husband practiced nearly every day on his home putting green, Hawk said.

During his lifetime, Hawk was a member of the Masonic Order, Shriners International, and Lions Club International. He was also a charter member of both the Rotary Club of Sedona Midday and the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks.

Hawk was predeceased by younger son Jeff and his wife of 61 years, Shirley. He is survived by his wife Donna, son Jerry, two grandchildren and many special friends.

Services will be at the Church of the Red Rocks on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks Endowment Fund, PO Box 1986, Sedona, AZ  86339, is suggested.

Greg Ruland can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 127, or e-mail editor@larsonnewspapers.com