MADISONVILLE, Ky. — Judge Robert E. Hawley, 80, of Madisonville, passed away Monday, March 31, 2025, at his home while under the care of Hosparus Health of Western Kentucky. He was born on Nov. 17, 1944, in Troy, New York, to the late Jack and Anne Rose Fogarty Hawley.
Robert proudly served in the United States Army. He went on to earn his undergraduate from Western Kentucky University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky.
Robert retired from the State of Kentucky after 50 years of dedicated service. He spent 18 years as District Judge in Butler, Hancock, Ohio, and Edmonson counties, previously practicing law prior to that time, and limited practice after his retirement. Robert was also a member of the Kentucky Bar Association.
Outside of law work, he enjoyed playing golf, farming and yard sales. One of his favorite things to do was spend time with his grandchildren, affectionately known as their “Poppo”.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of 24 years, Mary Ann Hawley; and a brother, William Andrew Hawley.
Robert is survived by his wife of 16 years, Cindy Draper Hawley, of Madisonville; two daughters, Erika (Daniel) DiPaolo, of Greenwich, Connecticut, and Courtney (Justin) Newman, of Omaha, Nebraska; a son, Danny (Erin) Shaw, of Madisonville; five granddaughters and five grandsons; and a brother, John (Becky) Hawley, of St. Joseph, Minnesota.
The memorial service for Judge Hawley will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, where visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. The burial will take place later in Sunnyside Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the charity of your choice in Robert’s name.
Memories and condolences for the family of Judge Robert E. Hawley may be left at www.glenncares.com.
