Robert Likas

Birth date: May 13, 1954 - Death date: Mar 21, 2025

Our dear friend Robert “Hawkeye” Likas passed away on March 21st at his home of natural causes. Hundreds of his friends and chosen family have already commented on his passing on the Facebook fan page of his band, the “Carolina Thunder Mugs.” Please leave your thoughts and photos there or here on the Tribute Wall.

Hawkeye (only some knew his name was Robert) was 6’4” of pure kindness. He was a source of happiness at every campsite he visited, heart-shaped bowl in hand and a huge heart inside. He was a consummate gentleman, especially to every woman and girl he met.

He grew up in Wilmore Neighborhood and graduated from Olympic High School. He became interested in primitive skills at an early age and joined the group at the Schiele Museum near the end of his school days. He became proficient in flint knapping, fire starting, and building structures in primitive styles and with primitive tools. This led naturally to attending period reenactments, including the Southeastern Primitive Rendezvous.

He studied various martial arts and achieved a Black Belt in Taekwondo.

His persona at colonial and Revolutionary era events was “Hawkeye.” From his outfits, you would think the name came from the “Last of the Mohicans,” but the name has other sources. One is that he was in a tomahawk throwing contest and when he threw the “hawk,” it bounced back and hit him in the eye. Hence, Hawk-eye. There is no doubt that if a fully-dressed Hawkeye were to time travel to the days of the long hunters, no one would notice.

Hawkeye always loved music, with heavy metal, acid rock, and punk rock being his favorites from his youth. Once he heard the Celtic music played at Highland Games and other gatherings, he became a fan. He was never without a set of bones or spoons so he could play along. He later added a conch shell to his instruments. Everyone welcomed his percussion addition, and even professional bands invited him to sit in. When some local talent created the “Greasy Britches” band, he stepped right in as they morphed into the “Carolina Thunder Mugs.”

He married Lynne Baker Durbin on the auspicious day of May 4th, 2019. He wore a tuxedo and shoes. They were delightfully married for almost six years, and he was honored to be in a caregiver role for her for some of those years. They shared an avid interest in natural and spiritual forces. If anyone said they were in pain, he immediately offered to help as best his skills could manage. Many reported relief from the warmth he could produce between his hands. Hawkeye was not a regular at any church; however, he was always grateful for prayers said for him.

The absence of our wonderful friend will leave a large void in the future. But he is not far away. Take off your shoes, take off your socks, stand on Mother Earth, and you will feel him with you.

We are raising funds to cover the funeral expenses and to support Lynne during this difficult time. Any additional funds will be transferred to Lynne to support her medical expenses.