Robert Eugene Haynes

Robert E Haynes, 93, passed comfortably and quietly from our life into the next on Sunday, November 12, 2023, after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's.

Robert (aka Dad-Pops-GrandDad-Dr Bob) was born in the heart of the Midwest, Greeley, Colorado to Leslie and Irene Haynes. The family resettled in Pueblo, Colorado and while attending high school in Pueblo, it was there, during high school that art took hold in his life. A graduate of Colorado College, he continued his educational journey earning a Doctoral of Education in Art History from Columbia University. He later studied block printing in London at the prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art. During his lifetime, he explored Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, bringing back artistic treasures to fill his shelves.

During the 1950s he joined the Army Signal Corps and served his country proudly during the Korean War. He returned from the war to illustrate 4 children's books under artist, mentor, and father-in-law Lynd Ward's tutelage. In the 1970s he studied pre-Columbian and Colonial art in Mexico. His prolific art legacy included works in the following media: pen and ink, illustration, watercolor, tempura, oil, mixed media, sculpture, and photography. He even dabbled in architecture, designing a home in Pitman, NJ, and a vacation cabin in Canada, still used by his children's families.

In the 1960s, he joined the art faculty at Rowan University (aka Glassboro State College) as professor of art history and an incorrigible multi-tasker, teaching art at Gloucester County College for 7 years, he was President of Art Educators of New Jersey, Executive Director of the Gloucester County Arts Council, art consultant to the Gloucester County Historical Commission, and even a one-time judge of the Southern New Jersey Olympics of the Mind competitive program. During his 35 years in Gloucester County, New Jersey, he made long-lasting friends, many who sadly didn't last this lifetime as long as he did at 93 years.

In the 1990s Bob retired and relocated with Martha to Arcata, California however, the definition of retirement for him would be very different from that in the Webster's dictionary. He continued his work as an exhibiting artist in mixed media, photography, and sculpture, often finding inspiration from local settings or materials around him. He served as Board Member for many years with the Humboldt Arts Council, the Redwood Arts Association & Gallery, and the Main Street Business Association in Eureka, California; facilitated and participated in the local Arcata Photography Club as well as facilitating several popular fund-raising, painting social events entitled "Art in the Park/Garden." His passion for wood, wood sculpting continued with a series of redwood sculptures he successfully exhibited. Although his wood sculpting ceased in his 80s due to his arthritic hands, his love and admiration for the redwoods never stopped.

Bob is survived by his wife, Martha Atkinson Haynes, introduced by friends on New Year's Eve 1993 in Wenonah, New Jersey. The artistic and intellectual "Ying to his Yang," they married in July 1994. Little did they realize how "kismet" their meeting would be. Ironically his grade school aged sons use to sell hoagies fundraising for Boy Scouts to her mother, who lived right around the corner of his home. The couple relocated to Arcata, California where she would accept a lecturer's position at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Bob is also survived by 7 children and/or stepchildren, Tamara and husband Paul, Alex and wife Claudia, Sheryl, Adam and wife Teresa, Marc and partner John, Scott and wife Krista, Jonathan and wife Pia. Along with 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandkids. Bob was preceded in death by brother Richard Haynes, former wives Nanda Ward and Abby Newman Deeds.

There will be a January 6, 2024 (1-3pm PST) at Ridgefield Events, 2242 Fickle Hill Road, Arcata, CA 95521. Ceremony will be outside. Sweets, coffee, tea served inside. To honor Bob's Sweet Tooth and anyone who feels so inclined, please feel free bring something sweet to share. Appreciate an RSVP to Sheryl at shaynes606@aol.com.