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Hampshire College University of Hawaii

WARREN HAYS Obituary

HAYS--Warren S. T. Warren Hays, 58, of Portland Maine, an evolutionary ecologist who researched mammal sociality and introduced a theory of human extinction, died on November 27, 2019. An associate professor of evolution, ecology and anatomy, Warren taught for 22 years at various academic institutions, most recently Hawai'i Pacific University. Warren Stith Thompson Hays was born in California on February 26, 1961. Son of the late David G. Hays Ph.D., linguist and computer scientist, and Marguerite T. Hays M.D., internal and nuclear medicine physician. After graduating from Hampshire College in 1980 he studied high energy physics at Berkeley before moving into the field of biology. Warren received his Ph.D. from the University of Hawai'i in 1999. His published works include scientific studies of cryptic social systems, pheromone communication, and invasive species, as well as a number of books. His most recent work, "The Price of Reason" (Diadema Press, 2019), on the fate of the human species is an analysis of philosophical systems and maladaptive evolutionary processes working to slow down population growth and eventually causing our extinction. Dr. Hays is survived by his wife, Adele Hays; his mother Marguerite Hays, of California; a sister, Dorothy Shoemaker, of Oregon; and brother, Tom Hays, of California.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for WARREN HAYS

Sponsored by Adele Hays.

15 Entries

Michel Corbé jr

February 21, 2025

His father and my own father Michael Corbé were good friends in the early 60's. I remember Warren as a little boy as well as his sister Dorothy. Sad to learn that Warren died so young. My sympathies to his wife and mother Rita.

Tony

March 6, 2023

I entered Hampshire the same time as Warren. He was gifted -- at the time he started at Hampshire he was only 15 or 16.

A talented and funny person who adjusted well to being years younger than most of his peers, at a very tricky time of life.

RIP, Warren. I wish I'd known you even better.

Bartholomew Boge

September 13, 2021

Very sorry for your loss. I´ve just read The Price of Reason, and was blown away by Mr. Hays´ breadth of knowledge and penetrating insights.

Mike Power

December 9, 2020

Very sorry to hear about Warren. He and I were colleagues at Berlitz School of Languages in Tokyo in 1995-96, as well as roommates at the time for about six months. We then spent six weeks or so travelling around Southeast Asia together before I returned to Japan and he headed to Hawaii to start teaching. I also visited him for a week in Hawaii in, I believe, 1997. He was great company and very encouraging to someone younger and less experienced at the time than he was. The image I've included is the two of us clowning around in Tokyo on a break from work. Again, very sorry to hear the news and my sincere condolences.

Kenneth Wise

April 22, 2020

I am so saddened to hear this news. I met Warren in the summer of 2001 when he was spending time in Paris. He was a stunningly intelligent man with a great sense of humor, a person who effortlessly drew people to him. He really made a positive impact on my life. I kept in touch with Warren for a few years after we met in Paris and he was always encouraging, always a source of great advice, and consolation during hard times.

Teenage PhDs

Hans

February 9, 2020

We were young, and over-confident. We didn't fit into society yet. He had a wicked sense of humor. After college he was fascinated by Magick. The school of Magick was a bust, but it provided dirt cheap housing in the bay area. From there, we went to punk shows, hung with the bikers into Magick, and talked a lot. You can't win an argument with Warren, it can be frustrating.

Eventually our only contact was periodic emails. I thought he was doing well, and I'm so sad to hear otherwise. Summer of 80 was a formative experience.

Lauryn Jackson

February 9, 2020

Warren and Adele visited us in Australia a number of times over the years and it was always an opportunity to laugh, talk ideas and chat over some great food, wine and music. On one occasion it was ridiculously cold but the guys were determined to have a BBQ outside. They put on their winter gear and braved the conditions to cook up a storm. Rest in peace Warren, you are greatly missed.

Vivienne Rodda

January 31, 2020

Dearest Adele and Warren,

My love and thoughts are with you both. Warren we only met once, but I remember when you first came into Adele's life and the love and joy you brought to her. May you rest in eternal peace.

Bruce Forder

January 29, 2020

Rest in Peace Warren. I appreciate your friendship, and the in depth conversations we shared. A great mind and a clever thinker, you were always quick with the answer and the wit. We will miss catching up with you.

Sally Hill

January 26, 2020

Thank you for sharing your life with my beautiful friend Adele. It was a pleasure to have met you in Australia and I hope you are now at peace.

Jason Kasseris

January 22, 2020

Warren, you were a major reason that I flourished and enjoyed my undergraduate days in Hawaii. Beyond good friend, I always have considered you a mentor and have spoken of you in brotherly and affectionate terms ever since our meeting in 1997. We were two dictionary loving dweebs who dabbled in completely homemade music creation under childishly funny pseudonyms. You will be forever missed. Rest in peace old friend.

Allyson Erick

January 19, 2020

A giant among the rest of us at Blake Street!
As we went our merry ways,
you remained imprinted on our hearts;
No matter how intense the Hays,
no longer seen, you still impart
the knowledge that you brought to sweet,
sweet Youth, now grown old, but ever young.
Forever memories, that's what was
your gift to us sincere
(though some experiments it doesn't
do to speak of here).
Stardust back into the universe is flung....

Allyson Erick
Jan 19, 2020

Grosses bises, from "M"

Adele Hays

January 19, 2020

Warren:
Thank you for the love, friendship, and laughter that we shared over the past 17 years. You have been a source of inspiration, encouragement, and intellectual growth nonpareil. I will never forget the extraordinary part you have played in my life. I love you, I thank you, and gods know I miss you.
Your loving wife, Adele