About Bob Hawkins, Sr.

Harvest House Publishers was the vision of an innovative, risk-taking, faith-extending man by the name of Bob Hawkins, Sr., who believed the paperback book could carry the Christian message to the masses. Bob led Harvest House with these guiding principles:

• Streamline the business.
• Never lose sight of the people.
• Market for the masses.
• Produce high-quality, niched books.

Bob, one of seven children, was born in Fairland, Oklahoma on March 10, 1922 to Rufus Henley and Ida J. Lowry Hawkins. At the early age of eight, while living on a farm, Bob launched his business career selling Cloverine Salve door-to-door. Little did anyone know that such humble beginnings would help prepare Bob for a longtime career as an invincible salesman and innovative publisher of millions of books and Bibles that would transform people's lives!

At the age of 18, Bob received Christ as his Savior and Lord, and so began a life of service and dedication to God. Bob served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army, and then attended the University of Oklahoma, Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis, and Westmont College in Southern California. While at Northwestern, Bob met the lovely and sociable Shirley Curtis, who stood next to him in the choir. They both sang for an evangelistic ministry group called the Gospel Crusaders on KTIF Radio. On August 7, 1953, they were married in Spokane, Washington. Shirley's sweet soprano voice was a constant source of joy to Bob throughout their 56 years of life together.

Bob and Shirley's joint commitment to sharing the gospel was evident as they traveled for Scripture Press, and then owned and operated two Christian bookstores during their first two decades of marriage. In 1965 Bob and Shirley moved their family of three children to Wheaton, Illinois so that Bob could join Ken Taylor—who at the time was in the process of paraphrasing the Bible into what became The Living Bible—in the very early days of Tyndale House Publishers. Bob worked there eight years and served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales. Bob's most rewarding accomplishment at Tyndale was developing the distinctive green padded cover for the newly completed Living Bible, which he passionately promoted, marketed, and sold.

Over the course of his first 20 years in Christian bookselling and publishing, Bob noticed that very few Christian books were being produced to meet the real needs and hurts of "the masses." While yearning to fill that gap and take the reins of his own publishing company, Bob found time while with Tyndale to publish a few Christian books under the logo of Key Publishers. Feeling the publishing itch all the more, Bob and his family moved to Southern California in 1973, where he launched Vision House Publishers with the best-selling There's a New World Coming.

At age 52, when most people are considering retirement, Bob—a risk-taker willing to step out in faith in response to God's calling—founded Harvest House Publishers in Irvine, California, in 1974. He and Shirley worked out of their garage and a small office. Within two years, four Harvest House titles had sold more than 100,000 copies, and the company landed a number one bestseller. Bob moved the company to Eugene, Oregon in 1981 because of the quality of life he envisioned it would offer for his employees and their families. The company has since grown to be among the top ten largest Christian publishing companies in the world, producing high quality and affordable books, Bibles, and products.

Bob not only blazed new trails as a publisher, but along with other far-seeing industry leaders, was instrumental in founding the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). Bob served several terms on the ECPA board and was its president in 1985-1986.

During Bob's years in leadership as president of Harvest House, he helped launch the successful writing careers of a number of bestselling authors. Bob convincingly saw great potential in undiscovered, gifted communicators. Longtime Harvest House author Emilie Barnes said in a book dedication, "Without his faith in me, I would not have been able to write 70 books. He saw something in me that I wasn't able to see in myself." Whether one of his children or a business associate; an author or his chiropractor; from a staff member to a customer, those close to Bob could expect to hear his rich booming voice exhort, "I believe you have what it takes, I know you can do it, and no is not an option!" Though a "mover and shaker," he was also a mentor, and his care for people was genuine and ran deep. His broad smile, gracious humility, and gentlemanly demeanor endeared him to everyone he met.

In 1991, at the age of 69, Bob turned over the reins of the company presidency to his son, Bob Hawkins, Jr., and officially retired from Harvest House. However, he continued to influence the publishing program by bringing quality authors to Harvest House when he was impressed by their ministry or he felt they had a valuable message to convey. Bob was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from ECPA and the Life Impact Award from CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) in honor of his leadership in the Christian publishing industry.

Never one to sit still, Bob also dabbled in other business ventures: LaFiesta Restaurant (because he loved Mexican food!) and SweetWater Praise Productions (because he loved inspirational music!). Though neither of these businesses became a grand success, they were prime examples of Bob's creative, entrepreneurial, and adventurous spirit.

Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley; his children Sheree (Rick) Gillaspie, Robert (Beth) Hawkins, and Gary Hawkins; and grandchildren Kelsey (Tim) Lawrence, as well as Benjamin, Daniel, and Stephanie Hawkins. Bob also leaves behind a legacy of countless friends whose lives are richer because of Bob's impact, influence, and faith.