Robert R. Hayden's Obituary
Robert R. Hayden, 84, passed away January 27, 2024 at Mercy Hospital surrounded by family after a brief illness. Born in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania on November 27, 1939 to Samuel and Catherine Hayden, he later moved to Lorain, Ohio.
Married 49 years to Natalie (deceased in 2013), Robert cherished his family, especially his children Robert Mark, deceased in 2018, (Hope) and Alexis Simon (Chris) and his grandchildren Kierstyn, Madison and Jason (Hayden) and Kaitlyn, Caleb and Reagan (Simon). Robert loved family get togethers and spending as much time with family and friends as possible. He never met a stranger and strangers became friends. He was a die hard Steelers and Duke University fan. He loved watching and “coaching” the Indians through the TV. Robert enjoyed reading, golfing, his many breakfast groups, watching sports and helping others.
Robert was a 1957 graduate of East Huntington High School (Pa). He received a football scholarship to and attended Duke University for a year before transferring to Findlay College to get his undergraduate degree. He later went on to receive his Masters of Education from Kent State University. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega at Duke University. Upon graduating from Findlay College, Robert became an educator within the Lorain City Schools where he lived by his philosophy of “Care, Share, and Trust.” He spent five years teaching and coaching in Lorain before moving his career to Lakewood City Schools to be a teacher and administrator from 1968-1996 when he retired.
Upon retiring, Robert served as an interim adminstrator in several districts thoughout Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. He came full-circle and finished with the Lorain City Schools in 2009. Throughout his career, Robert was also an adjunct professor at Baldwin Wallace College, was a past President of the Ohio Middle Schools Principal Association and served on numerous committees. Throughout his life, he coached countless youth in football, baseball and softball. He was proud of the fact he helped many athletes get scholarships. He was especially proud he coached his children and grandchildren. In recent years, Robert became a fabulous story teller.
Robert will be deeply missed by his family listed above. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Teri Hayden of Ligonier, Pennsylvania. In addition, he is survived by a host of nieces, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceeded by his parents, Samuel and Catherine Hayden, wife, Natalie, son, Robert Mark and his brother Samuel.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 pm in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:00 am, with a viewing from 9:00-10:00 in the funeral center. Internment will be at Ridge Hill Cemetery with a Celebration of Life, to share stories of Rob, to immediately follow at the IAV at 4567 Oberlin Ave, Lorain.
Contributions may be made in memory in Robert’s name to the National Glaucoma Research Foundation at https://glaucoma.org
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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