Robert J. "Puma Bob" Hayes

1941 - 2021

Beloved husband, father, counselor, teacher, coach, and friend Robert J. "Puma Bob" Hayes died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021.

Bob was born in Chicago on March 2, 1941, to George and Alma (Behrens) Hayes.

He was a proud alumnus of St. Joseph's College (Indiana), earning the nickname "Puma", given to him from his football teammates, in honor of the school's mascot. He received a BS in Education from St. Joe and two diplomas from Ball State University including a Master's in Education and an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling.

Bob cherished kids and his life's work included 35 years in education as a teacher, coach, counselor, and administrator, highlighted by 17 years at South Newton School Corporation (Kentland), including six years as director of counseling, followed by 16 years in the same position at Lawrence Central High School (Indianapolis). Early in his career, he taught at Monnett and Van Rensselaer Elementary schools in Rensselaer. Following his retirement from secondary education, he spent time as an adjunct professor at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Fla.

His passion was coaching, both on the field and off, including football, basketball, baseball, and swimming teams, at various levels, for South Newton. For nearly a decade, he also served as a baseball coach for St. Joe, highlighted by a regional finals appearance in the 1975 NCAA Division II tournament. His resounding voice and hearty laugh was enjoyed by many as Bob moonlighted in the off seasons as a sports broadcaster calling games on local radio stations across northern Indiana.

If you knew him, you were his friend. He loved all things Chicago, from its food to its sports. The Bears, Cubs, and Blackhawks, along with Notre Dame football, fueled his passion as an insatiable fan of his hometown teams.

Bob's spirit lives on in the love of his life, Carolyn Berry Hayes and two sons, Michael (Patti), Stamford, Conn., and Matthew, Gaffney, S.C. They also shared three daughters, Michele Rainford (Gary), Franklin, Tenn., Teri Wehlage (Nick) and Kristin Metzel (Rob), both of Indianapolis. He had 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Bob was a National Certified Counselor, influential in the field of counseling in Indiana. He was a frequent speaker and workshop leader, a published author in his field, and President of the Indiana School Counselors Association. He won numerous awards for his life's work, however his life's purpose was using his innate gift to seek out and impact kids who needed help during the transformational moments of their lives. The door to his office was always "open", even if it wasn't when you saw it. Students knew where to turn if they needed an ear to listen and a safe place to go when life got hard.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in his name to the Jasper Newton County Community Foundation with Robert J. (Puma Bob) Hayes scholarship in the memo line. www.jaspernewtonfoundation.org

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Hope Church in Winter Haven, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 at 11 am.