Hawkes In Flight

This book is a collection of stories told with affectionate attention to detail.  Many of them are a mixture of humor and tragedy.  The stories are the memories of Rock Hawke.  The Prologue sets the stage for Rock’s examination of his background, boyhood, and then his adult life.  Rock’s memories include the story of his Great-grandfather and of many other interesting characters and dramatic events.  Many of the stories are about Rock’s experiences as a teacher in the public schools.  The book demonstrates his love for the prairie, the people he knew, and animals.  Central to Rock Hawke’s memories is his devotion to his family.

Claude M. Higgins, Jr., known as “Mick”, grew up in a small town in Eastern Colorado.  He raised rabbits, roamed the prairie, and listened carefully to the stories told to him by older men.  As a teenager, he worked at many jobs and gave his teachers a hard time.  He then worked his way through college earning a B.Sc. in Education and an M.A. in English Literature.  The crowning achievement of his 33 year teaching career in public High Schools was the development of a course in The Bible as History and Literature.  He and his wife, Shirley, were married for 47 years.  They have a daughter, Gayle, and a son, C. Michael, and five grandchildren.  His love of family, friends, teaching and animals shines through his writing.  He was a vibrant, caring, unforgettable man.