Gary Robert Hawbaker, 74, of Hagerstown, MD, passed away peacefully at Doey's House on February 21, 2023.

Born March 19, 1948 at Waynesboro Hospital, he was the son of the late John Robert and Betty Louise (Parker) Hawbaker. Raised in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, his love for his hometown never faded. After graduating from Greencastle Antrim High School in 1966, he enlisted into the Army in 1967 and served until 1970, attaining the rank of Specialist Fifth Class after only 18 months of service. He then went on to receive his Vietnam Campaign Ribbon after spending a year in Southeast Asia.

After serving our country, Gary used his veteran's benefits to attend Thompson College, where he obtained his associates degree in 1972. Following graduation, Gary held multiple jobs within the computer department at Grove Manufacturing until 1980.

In 1980, he and his family moved to Burnsville, Minnesota where he accepted a fire investigator position at the Minneapolis law firm of Robins, Zelle, Larson and Kaplan. He traveled the country investigating major fires such as the Las Vegas MGM and Hilton that had a national impact on high-rise safety. This position opened his eyes to everything the fire industry had to offer.

Gary ultimately found his love for the fire service at the Rescue Hose Company of Greencastle, PA, where he was a life member. During his time within the company, he held numerous offices including Ambulance Chief and Fire Chief.

On June 10, 1985 he was sworn in as the Fire Chief of Hagerstown. He held this significant position for 25 years before retiring in June of 2010.

Chief Hawbaker will be remembered for many accomplishments and his standing commitment to both labor and the volunteer leadership in the HFD. During his years as Chief some highlights important to him included: staffing increased to its highest level in history; led effort to plan, fund and build current station on Eastern Boulevard; equipment was upgraded to current standards; training center was expanded and became a Maryland recognized Training Academy; volunteers starting receiving benefits for their service; restructured the command staff; changed work hours still used today; saved the Fire Marshal's Office from being closed several times; from 2003 to 2010 the department received over $2,000,000 in State and Federal Grants; assisted with the creation of the Police & Fire Retirement Plan and remained an active board member; and numerous other accomplishments that made the department one of the top middle size departments in the country. None of these would have been possible without the outstanding staff and volunteers that he had the privilege to serve with.

His proudest accomplishment was the department's efforts in public safety and education. In 1987 he created a Public Educator Position in order to save lives and reduce the number of serious fires in Hagerstown.

From 1987 to 2010 the department became internationally recognized for their education and prevention efforts. Programs, like free smoke detectors, annual door to door surveys, Home Safety Make Over, Landlord Initiative, Neighborhood Open Houses, Children's Safety Village, SAFE, Safe Communities, specialized industry and business employee training and day care to high school safety education earned the department the reputation as a leader in education and prevention.

The results of those efforts along with code enforcement and good investigation saved lives and property and from 1987 to 2009 the number of structure fires with damage decreased an amazing 75%. It also reduced the number of times firefighters were exposed to dangerous situations.

Gary loved sports and was a loyal Hagerstown Suns supporter. He played and coached several different sports but soccer was his favorite. He coached youth soccer, was the volunteer goalkeeper coach at South Hagerstown High School. In 1993 he accepted the head soccer coach position at Smithsburg High School and over the next six years his teams were ranked in the Herald Mail Region Top 10 each year. He had the privilege of coaching several Maryland All State Players.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife Brenda Hawbaker and son Michael Hawbaker. In addition, he is survived by his former wife Delores Hawbaker of Greencastle, PA; son Timothy Hawbaker and wife Christin from Cedaredge, CO; daughter Terra Grove and husband Kent of Hagerstown, MD; and grandchildren: Merrit Grove and Ezra, Elliyah and Judah Hawbaker. He is missed by his special granddog, Coco.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown, MD, on Wednesday, March 1 from 10:00am - 12:00pm. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 pm. The family will plan interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Doey's House, 11370 Caring Pathway Lane, Hagerstown, MD 21742.