David Ramon Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.

Sir David Ramon Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D., affectionately called "Doc," died at home in Sedona, Ariz., on Sept. 19, 2012, at age 85. He was born June 3, 1927, in Milwaukee, Wisc. He is survived by his wife, Susan J. Hawkins of Sedona, stepdaughter, Sarah J. Humphrey (Josh Spradling), and step-granddaughter Evren L. Spradling of Peoria, Ariz.

Dr. Hawkins was renowned as a physician, author, lecturer and researcher of consciousness. After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1953.

For the next 25 years, he lived in New York, where he directed the largest psychiatric practice in the state. In 1973, he co-authored Orthomolecular Psychiatry with Nobel Laureate chemist Linus Pauling.

Dr. Hawkins spent his last three decades in Arizona. In 1983, he established the Institute for Spiritual Research, a nonprofit organization dedicated to consciousness research. In 1995, at age 68, he published the book, Power vs. Force, translated into 25 languages, with over a million copies sold. Just before his passing, he completed his 12th book, Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender.

His numerous awards include The Huxley Award for the "Inestimable Contribution to the Alleviation of Human Suffering," Who's Who in the World, and a nomination for the prestigious Templeton Prize that honors progress in science and religion. In recognition of his contributions to humanity, Dr. Hawkins was knighted in 1996 by the Sovereign Order of the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem. In 2000, he was bestowed the title, "Tae Ryoung Sun Kak Tosa" (Teacher of Enlightenment), in Seoul, Korea.

He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks Lodge, Mensa International, the first U.S. Zen Institute and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. He was the first president of the Country and Western Dance Club in Sedona. Internationally, Dr. Hawkins was the founder of Devotional Nonduality, a spiritual pathway that teaches unconditional love and self-realization.