Robert Leslie "Les" Hawley

Robert Leslie "Les" Hawley

Chippewa Falls, WI

Robert Leslie "Les" Hawley, 81 of Chippewa Falls, WI, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025, under the care of St. Croix Hospice at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home – Chippewa Falls.

He was born on January 29, 1944, to Jesse Monte and Elsie Jane (Morden) Hawley in Cedar Rapids, IA. He graduated in 1963 from Alburnett High School. He was thought of highly and was well liked by his classmates and was elected class president. During high school he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. On the weekends he enjoyed drag racing.

Les joined the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and served two tours during the Vietnam War Era, one in Vietnam and one in Thailand. During that time, he was exposed to Agent Orange. He met the love of his life, Marian (Langenbach) in 1967 in San Bernardino, CA. When he returned from Vietnam, they were married on Sept. 17, 1968 at the Lucky Seven Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV.

Les went on to serve 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, eventually retiring in 1984 at the rank of Master Sargent. During his career as a Maintenance Technician, he worked on F4's, T37's and F15's. He was well liked and respected equally by the members of his crew and pilots. In addition to his work as a Maintenance Technician he also was an inspector and during his time in Korea helped write U.S. Air Force aircraft manuals. In 1978 he was chosen and graduated from the Non-Commission Officers Academy. He retired in 1984 in part to his Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.

After his retirement Les and Marian moved to Osceola, WI with their three children, Valerie, Debra and Kevin. During his time in Osceola, he worked for Northern Metals. He then passed the USPS Postal Exam and worked for a short time at the St. Paul Post Office until the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis prevented him from working.

He was an amazing father that didn't always say a lot but always made sure his children knew they were loved and how proud he was of them. He did the same for his loving grandson, Alexander. His love for Marian never wavered and she lovingly took care of him until the end of his life.

He loved word finds, crossword puzzles, drinking coffee, reading "his" paper and watching Gunsmoke and listening to "old" country music. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Green Bay Packer fan. He and Marian loved spending time at their cabin in northern Minnesota, that just happened to be near the Hinkley Grand Casino, where Les enjoyed "playing the machines" and spending time with their friends from the casino.

He is survived by his wife, Marian Hawley, his children, Valerie (Georgios) Loizides, Debra (Joseph) Cordell and Kevin Hawley, his grandson, Alexander Loizides, his sister, Beverly Shearer, his brother, Monte Hawley, sisters-in-law, Audrey (Dale) Nissen and Suzanne Hawley and many loved nephews, nieces and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Elsie Hawley, mother- and father-in-law, John and Elsie Langenbach, brother, George Hawley and brother-in-law, Jerry Shearer, and sisters-in-law, Cathy Hawley and Sandy Hamann.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center is serving the family. For more information, please visit ChippewaValleyCremation.com.