Robert Harrell Hadaway

Robert Harrell Hadaway, age 62 died in the comfort of his home and surrounded by his family on August 6, 2022 in Duluth, MN. Rob was born with the desire to entertain. His love for the performing arts led him to Ringling Brother’s and Barnum & Bailey’s Clown College, where he graduated top of his class. Post-graduation he toured with the circus for many years. The skills he developed allowed him the opportunity to travel the world; touring with Circus Medrano in Switzerland, representing the United States as a performing clown artist is China, portraying Santa Clause at Macy’s in New York City, and performing as Curly in the Three Stooges Stage Show at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

After years of performing, Rob developed the yearning to teach. He taught set design for The Paideia School in Atlanta. He performed, directed, and designed sets for numerous theater productions in the Metro Atlanta area before opening his own Theater company, Big Top Theatre.  Rob continued his own education, studying and receiving his Master of Fine Arts in American Studies from Kennesaw State University.

In 2014 Rob and his husband, David moved to Duluth, MN where they could live in a state that recognized their love for each other. Rob shared his talents with the Duluth community as well. He was the Creative Director for the Duluth Children’s Museum. He also directed and performed in numerous productions with The Renegade Theater Company, The Wise Fool Theatre, and The Duluth Playhouse. Throughout his impressive career, Rob’s favorite and most meaningful performance was clowning as Dr. Peabody for the Big Apple Clown Care Unit in children’s hospitals in the Metro Atlanta Area.

Rob is survived by his husband, David Short; parents, Ben & Jeri Hadaway; siblings, Tracy (Ben) Atha, Jill (Anthony) Broyles; Julie (Tony) Merendino; nieces & nephews, Rachel (Drew) Weller, Nikki (Joe) Cherneski; Zach Truett, Abby (Levi) Duncan, Ashly (Tayler) Schuman; Brooke Tapp, Joey Merendino, and Gianni Merendino; and many extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Humorology Atlanta: https://www.humorologyatlanta.org/donate 

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