This Month’s Thank You
The Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation
Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation trustees Roy Powers, Bill Wallace, Carolyn Bernard and Bill Ligon visit the Lake Mansion. Background painting of “Lake’s Crossing” with Myron Lake and Chief Winnemucca titled “Reno Twenty Years Ago”, painted in 1882 by C.B. McClellan.
You wouldn’t be reading this page without the support of the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation that funded the development of this new website.
Throughout Northern Nevada, the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation has made a huge difference in the lives of many. Areas of interest have included: adult social services, animal assistance, civic and cultural, education, law, medicine and science, religion, and youth facilities and programs.
Since 1990, the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation has been one of VSA Nevada’s generous and respected supporters. The foundation has funded computer equipment, two copiers (1995 and 2007), the move of the Lake Mansion and renovation, tables, tents, a security camera, art supplies, a phone system, frames, and the restroom on the main floor of the Lake Mansion! VSA Nevada board, staff, artists, volunteers and most importantly participants thank the foundation for their interest and support.
Robert Ziemer Hawkins was born in Boulder, Colorado, December 26, 1903, the eldest son of Prince A. Hawkins, Sr. and Myrtle Ziemer Hawkins. From 1908 to 1912 the law firm of which his father was a member, moved its offices from Boulder to Reno and the family settled in Reno in 1910. In 1912, his father built their home at 549 Court Street, overlooking the Truckee River, a colonial residence which later served as the home of the Sierra Nevada Museum of Art.
Robert Z. Hawkins attended Reno High School, Stanford University, Stanford Law School and Harvard Law School. He returned to Reno in 1927 to practice law with his father. The firm name was Hawkins, Rhodes and Hawkins.
In 1939 he married Katherine Mackay, who predeceased him. Later he married Kathryn Ackley, who survived him and died in May, 1990.
Bob Hawkins, in addition to being a fine lawyer, was also an investor with a keen insight. He was the dominant shareholder of Security National Bank of Nevada. Where he served as a member of the Board and was Chairman of the Executive Committee. He also became interested in and acquired several large ranches in the Marysville area where he grew the first commercially successful wild rice grown in California.
Some years prior to his death, he decided to leave the bulk of his estate in trust, for charitable purposes in perpetuity. He died in September, 1979. The Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation was created by his Will.
