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David Hayes Obituary

David R. Hayes
Raleigh
David R. Hayes, 73, died on April 10, 2011 after suffering a stroke in Athol, Massachusetts where he currently lived. Born in 1937 to the late Eleanor and Woody Hayes, David spent his childhood in the Raleigh schools, graduating from Broughton in 1955. He received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Duke University in 1959, and continued his education there receiving his Ph.D in 1963. David began his teaching career in mathematics at the University of Tennessee. In 1966 he relocated to Amherst, joining the faculty of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Massachusetts. During his tenure David was a member of the American Math Society and participated in the Five College Number Theory Seminars held in Amherst for many years. David completed his post-doctoral studies at Harvard. He retired in 2002 as Professor Emeritus.
David had a beautiful mind and a beautiful heart. He was kind and generous, often putting the needs of others before his own. In addition to his absolute love of mathematics, he enjoyed travel, good books and his weekly date with Sunday's New York Times crossword puzzle. He delighted in being a grandfather and included his grandchildren in his summer treks to the North Carolina beaches to vacation with his North Carolina family.
He is survived by his wife, Irene; sons Robert of Denver, Chris of Indianapolis, and Jon (Stacy) of Seattle, step-son Carl Dickson, Richmond; also grandchildren, Mason, Cooper and Maggie; sisters Sally Stevens of Raleigh, Betsy Hunt (Patricia) of Willow Springs, and Jenny (Jimmy) Lewis of Farmville; niece, Jill Tyeryar; nephews, Rob and Rusty (Christiana) Hunt, and Ben (Louise) and David Lewis; also a grand-niece, Lilianne.
Funeral services will be held in Massachusetts on Friday, April 15.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on Apr. 13, 2011.

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Henry Gould

April 19, 2011

I remember when David received his Ph.D. at Duke and gave a talk on it at a big AMS meeting. I wrote a small paper that he later extended and published. I am still researching on things he did. David Hayes was brilliant and will be sorely missed. He was also working with a group of us about memorializing our late mentor Leonard Carlitz. My deepest sympathies go to his family. May his name be written in the Book of Life forever. Henry W . Gould

April 16, 2011

Dear Sally,
Because the Stevens and Hayes families were neighbors during the 40's and 50's, I saw David at your home many times during those years. My very clear memories of him are of his gentle nature and how smart he was. Reg and I send our sincere sympathy to you and your family and hope that you will find comfort in your countless special memories.
Betsy (Stevens) Brown

April 15, 2011

Our sympathy goes out to the family as well as the educational community who lost a good person with a great mind. Dick and Kay Tindal

April 14, 2011

John and I send you our deepest sympathies. I remember David from a time in elementary school as a guest of your family in Myrtle Beach. He was a kind and thoughtful person and we know he will be greatly missed. Jane (Brooks) and John Goodman

April 14, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of loss.
Lars and Kathy Bostrom

Hunter George

April 14, 2011

Sally and Family,
I am sorry to learn of your loss. Your brother was in the same class at Broughton as my brother and I sent him a notice. My prayers are with you.

April 13, 2011

So sorry to hear about David, He was a classmate at Broughton and really enjoyed seeing him at our last reunion. Our sympathy to all the family, Margie and Ashleigh Lucas

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