1988-1989 Georgia Kiwanis Governor Robert D. Hayes Passes
Robert D. Hayes, Ph.D, 1988-1989 Georgia Kiwanis Distinguished Governor, passed away on November 12, 2005 at his beach home in Panama City, Florida. Dr. Hayes was 80 and had been in poor health for the past few years.
Bob Hayes was an educator, teaching engineering at Georgia Tech for 30 years. But he was always a teacher, whether in a college classroom, a Kiwanis training session, or more likely, informally. I last visited with him just a week ago during the Georgia Kiwanis Fall Training Conference at Kennesaw State University. The photo at right was taken during his class at the training conference. It is most appropriate that the photo shows Bob doing what he loved best -- standing in front of a classroom, teaching.
He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky and was fiercely proud of his home state. Each May, Bob hosted a Kentucky Derby party at his home for his friends and colleagues, and mixed a mean mint julep!
Dr. Hayes had many definite, strongly-felt opinions and he felt no reluctance to share his thoughts.
As Georgia Kiwanis Governor, he earned the designation of "Distinguished", a recognition given to only seven governors in the past 86 years. Bob loved Kiwanis and helped to make the Georgia District the outstanding District it is today. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta, one of the most outstanding clubs in all Kiwanis International.
During my year as Governor, I asked Dr. Hayes to serve as chair of the Past Governors' Committee, a position of great respect and honor. We were very good friends and, in many respects, Bob was my mentor during my district leadership. He was one of my closest friends among the many past Kiwanis governors. Our families traveled together, and since we both had a fondness for Colonial Williamsburg, we spent several Christmas seasons there together.
Bob Hayes was more than a teacher or a dedicated Kiwanian. He was a good man -- to Jean, his wife; to his family; to his community and to all who met him. Bob was what Kiwanis is all about -- service, fellowship and friendship -- something bigger than ourselves.
I will miss him.
- Ron Jackson
