Robert Hayes

1920 - 2015

Hayes, Robert Emmet 11/21/1920 ~ 01/24/2015 RANCHO BERNARDO Robert Emmet Hayes has joined his wife Alice, in heaven. "Bob" was born on November 21, 1920, in Los Angeles CA to the former Marion Weatherwax and Robert E. Hayes, Sr. Bob was shortly joined by sister, Jean, and brother, Bill. Bob's mother passed away when he was 12 years old and the children were raised by his paternal grandmother and aunt in San Gabriel. Bob graduated from both Loyola High School and Loyola University. He was a gifted athlete and natural leader. Bob served as president of his college senior class and was co-captain of the football team. When World War II broke out shortly after Bob's graduation, he volunteered to serve in the Navy. Upon receiving his "wings" as a Navy pilot, he briefly returned to Los Angeles to marry his sweetheart, Alice McCarthy, whom he had known since age 14. They were stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, where Bob served as a naval flight instructor until the war's end. After the war, he began a career in the insurance industry. In 1962, he was recruited by Equitable Life Insurance Company to serve at their home office in N.Y.C. Following that, he joined Metropolitan Life. He became Senior Vice President in charge of group insurance for the West Coast and relocated to his hometown of Los Angeles. His last position was Senior V.P. of National Accounts in NYC. Bob retired in December, 1985 to Rancho Bernardo to be closer to family and many lifelong friends. Married to Alice for 64 years, he selflessly cared for her at home until she passed away in 2007. Bob was a devout Catholic; his faith was the guiding factor in his life. He and Alice were active members of St. Michael's Church in Poway. They were the devoted parents of six children. Bob was preceded in death by Alice; his brother, Bill; and sister, Jean. He is survived by his six children: Kathleen Byers (Brad) of Fallbrook, Joanne Hayes of San Francisco, Mimi Frank (Dave) of Kailua, HI, Robert E. Hayes, Jr. of Long Beach, Janet Geehr (Ed) of Newport Beach, and Philip Hayes (Danielle) of Oakland. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. "Tiger" Bob will be fondly remembered and desperately missed by all who knew and loved him. Services will be held at Old Mission San Luis Rey (Oceanside) at 1:30 on Monday, February 9. Burial will follow. A reception will be held in San Juan Capistrano.