Richard Edward Hayes

Richard Edward Hayes, dear husband, father, grandpa and friend passed away peacefully in his home on August 29, 2023, on Whidbey Island, Washington. He was 91 years old.

Born in Albany, NY on May 29, 1932 to Marion Gurney and John Newton Hayes he grew up spending summers on Hunt Lake in the foothills of the Adirondacks. At an early age he took interest in maps, geography, nature and music. He loved the trumpet and was President of the Bethlehem Central High School orchestra in Delmar, NY where he developed his passion for swing era jazz.

Richard (Dick), graduated from Cornell University in 1953. After serving in the Armored Division of the US Army stationed in Iceland. He married Jane on August 13, 1960 while she was completing her Master of Music degree at the University of Michigan. Dick then pursued his graduate studies at the Thunderbird School of Business with a focus on Latin America. Upon graduation he was offered an assignment in Latin America with Chase Manhattan Bank.

Dick and Jane kicked off their South American adventure, landing in Brazil in 1964 where they lived for 51 years, raising three children Carolyn, Andrew and George. He had an entrepreneurial spirit. In partnership with friends, he invested in start-ups including food franchises, a sports fishing travel company and a cocoa venture.

Dick loved travel. His interest in international affairs, business, culture, and adventure flourished during his life in Brazil. He journeyed across the globe, on and off the beaten track, bringing his family along for the ride. He had a knack for travel planning, and in the pre-internet era he could often be found with his nose in a travel book, the dense IATA airline guide or the newspaper, scouting out new destinations and putting in the effort to call innkeepers and navigate language differences. Somehow, he always made it work, and there was a spot waiting for us upon arrival.

He never stopped enjoying and playing music. His huge collection of swing era jazz and Bossa Nova records kept the turntable going all weekend, and he continued playing the trumpet and mellophone throughout his life. Even up to his final days, the swing era tunes of his youth brought him great joy.

Then there was baseball and wine. Dick loved the sport and followed the Mariners after he moved back to the US in 2015. In his final years, he and Jane would not miss a game. And wine? It was an extension of his travels, one of his favorite things was to pour a glass of red, save the cork and take a mini trip down memory lane reflecting on the countries and the grapes with any of us who would listen.

Dick, pops, g-pa, vovo - was a gentleman in every way. His dapper style, kind words, consideration of others, and gentle ways will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his mom Marion, and dad John.

He is survived by his wife Jane, his son Andrew and his wife Patricia, his son George and his wife Monica and his daughter Carolyn and husband Steve, as well as his five grandchildren Emily, Benjamin, Max, Alex and Julia in addition to cousins and extended kin.

Our family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Hospice of the Northwest, South Whidbey at Home, Whidbey Senior Resources, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island and our family and many friends for their care and ongoing support.

At Dick's request, his remains have been donated to the University of Washington School of Medicine for the advancement of science. A Celebration of Dick's life will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 2:00PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island. 20103 State Route 525, Freeland, Washington.