Don Hayward

Longtime former KNTV Channel Eleven Anchorman, Don Hayward, passed away at his home in Santa Cruz on January 28th with his family at his side. His memorial service will be held Saturday, February 25th at the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell Street, at 1 p.m.

Don's birth name was Bob Belshe, but early in his broadcast career he adopted the professional name of Don Hayward at the request of an employer who said he needed to pick another, easier to remember, on-air name, and that there were already too many "Bob's" on the staff.

Don was born in Buckeye, Arizona on September 29th, 1933. He attended San Joaquin Valley schools graduating from Strathmore High School in Strathmore, California in 1951. Don was active in student government and excelled in athletics. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He was quarterback and linebacker on the Varsity football team. After high school he attended Porterville Community College where he also played football.

He began his more than 40-year broadcast career in 1956. A friend, who was leaving a job at local Porterville radio station KTIP, encouraged him to apply and he was immediately hired as a staff announcer.

While working at KTIP he appeared in a number of plays at Porterville's acclaimed "Barn Theater". He appeared with Ann B Davis of Brady Bunch fame, and was under the direction of Peter Tewksbury who went on to great success in television and movies.

Don left KTIP in 1957 and began working at KARM radio in Fresno. He became a very popular radio personality in the Fresno area and remained with the station until 1962 when he decided to move on to television and was hired at KNTV in San Jose as an announcer-director. He spent several years in this capacity but was soon drafted by the News Department to serve in the capacity of Sports Director and on-air sports anchor. After a few years as Sports Director he was elevated to the KNTV news anchor desk Don also worked as the public address announcer at San Jose State football games. He continued as the "Voice of the Spartans" for a total of 36 years retiring in 2002 and setting a longevity record that will never be duplicated. His wife, Darla, worked as his spotter during all those years.

For 25 years he volunteered his time to coach broadcast journalism students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San Jose State. He worked with them on their anchoring and writing skills. He and his wife also established a scholarship to assist students going through the program.

Don left KNTV in 1980 to work in the free lance market and end his years of commuting over Highway 17. His voice could be heard on countless radio and television commercials well into 2005. He also served as a moderator on local CATV public affairs programs. He gave much of his time to community service and appeared on many charity telethons during his long broadcast career.

In recent years, Don had a special commitment to the Elks and their charitable endeavors. He was a member of Santa Cruz Elk's Lodge #824 and served as Exalted Ruler for the 2002-2003 year. He was honored as "Officer of the Year" for 2001-2002 and was named "Elk of the Year" for the 2003-2004 year. As Exalted Ruler, he won the Eric Silva award, the highest award possible, in the eleven lodge district ritual competition. He also served as a District Chairman for the Elks.

Don is survived by his wife of 38 years Darla, daughter, Debi Dorr and her husband Doug, and son Kris Belshe and his wife Ronda. Also surviving are grandchildren Cristy, Robyne, Amy and Adam Dorr, Alissa and Bret Belshe and three great grandchildren. His sister-in aw, Linda Reece, and husband, Jim, brother-in-law, Arlen Grainger and wife Deb and their families, and "second mother" and former mother-in law, Odessa Berryhill also survive him.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Merlene, mother Christine McKiearnan, father Walter "Dick" Belshe and his sister Joy Roye.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Santa Cruz Elks Lodge #824.