G. Wayne Hawk passed away peacefully at Hospice Buffalo on August 27, 2017. He was 89 years old.

Wayne, knows as “Poppy”, is survived by his wife Charline (“Bunkie”); his sons, George W. Hawk, Jr. (Carolyn) David James Hawk and John Robert Hawk (Colleen); and his grandchildren, Casey, Maeve, Claire and Gavin.

Wayne was born on February 21, 1928 in Warren, Ohio to Oscar Wilmer and Morda Klingensmith Hawk. He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1946. After serving in the Army (1946 to 1948) he attended Purdue University, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelors of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. While at Purdue, Wayne joined the ROTC and was called up following graduation, from 1951 to 1953, reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant. While in the Air Force, he served as Assistant Research and Development Officer, Gas Dynamics Facility, Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma, Tennessee, the Air Force’s first variable speed supersonic test facility. While in Tullahoma, Wayne met and courted his future wife, Charline Hines Bond. They were married on February 12, 1955.

From 1953 to 1956, Wayne worked as a Project Engineer for Hughes Research and Development Laboratory, Culver City, California, working on the Falcon missile program, and attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1955. In 1956 he joined Goodyear Aircraft Corporation, Akron, Ohio, as a Senior Research Engineer working on a project to develop a thrust reverser for commercial and military aircraft. In 1957, Wayne joined a small start-up company in East Aurora, New York, Moog, Inc.

Wayne was with Moog Inc. from 1957 to 1981. While at Moog he held a number executive positions, including Vice President Aerospace Division, 1968-1969, Executive Vice President, Director, General Manager Controls Division, 1969-1976, Executive Vice President, Member of the Board of Director and President of the Controls Group, 1976-1981. He subsequently joined Acme Electric Corporation, serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1986 to 1991, and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer from 1992 until his retirement in 1994.

Wayne also served Chairman of the Board of Directors of Comptek Research Inc. (1983-1987), M.H.P. Machines, Inc., Buffalo (1983-1992), and B.I.S. Partners. He was also a past Chairman of Western New York Technology Development Corporation.

Wayne was involved in his community. He was a member of Nativity Lutheran Church for over 60 years and served on the Church Council. He was the past Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, past President of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts American and past Chairman and President of the Greater Buffalo Development Foundation, past Trustee and Treasurer of the Buffalo General Hospital Foundation, President of the Niagara Aerospace Museum, Director of Meals on Wheels Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors of the Niagara Lutheran Home Foundation, past Member of the Board of Directors of the Fluid Power Educational Foundation, and past Board of Regents Emeritus of Canisius College.

Aviation and aeronautics were Wayne’s passion. Wayne was an avid flyer, soloing at 16 and flying both single and multi-engine aircraft. He held a number of aeronautics related patents, including patents for the thrust reverser as well as control valves for satellites, missiles and machine tools. He was a longtime member of the Quit Birdman. He was also a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Air Force Association, the Navy League, American Defense Preparedness Association, National Fluid Power Association (past chairman board), National Conference on Fluid Power (past conference director) Buffalo Chamber of Commerce (past vice chairman).

Wayne enjoyed skiing and golf and later in his life, croquet. But what he enjoy the most was re-telling the story of his life to his grandchildren, starting with how his family survived the great depression and continued through his years working in aerospace and the projects he was involved in with NASA and the air force.

He will be remembered as a leading figure in both the aerospace industry and the community. He was kind to everyone he met, and cared deeply for his family.

Calling hours are on Friday, September 1, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Woods Funeral Home, 784 Main Street, East Aurora, New York. A memorial service will be held at Nativity Lutheran Church on September 2 at 11:00 A.M.

The family requests that instead of sending flowers that donations be made to Hospice Buffalo.