Hayes, Robert Baird

Notes:

Died:

The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Robert Hayes. Gretchen Leenerts reported that the obituary had appeared on 23 March 1950 in the Plattsmouth Journal [Plattsmouth, Cass County, Nebraska].

Monday night at 9:45, Robert Hayes, 78, a highly esteemed and honored resident of the community, passed away after an illness of some duration, in the last weeks of which his condition has grown gradually worse until death came to his relief. The death came as a great shock to the friends who have known Mr. Hayes for many years, as he was brought here as a young child by his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. William Hayes. He grew up in this community and attended the local schools, graduating in the class of 1888, from the Plattsmouth High School. Robert B. Hayes was born in Shelby County, Illinois 9 May 1871 and spent his young childhood there. The story of his life is closely interwoven with the history of Plattsmouth in the past sixty years as he has been a very active figure in the city in civic affairs for all of the years. Mr. Hayes in his early youth, after leaving school, entered the employ of the Burlington Railroad as an apprentice in the pattern making department of the local shops, under the late G. G. Hoffman. He continued in this line of work for many years and assisted in making patterns for much of the rolling stock and materials turned out at the local shops. In later years he was advanced to head of the passenger car department, finally to the position of general foreman of the shops that he held for many years until the passenger car making was discontinued at the shops. "Bob" as he was better known to the hundreds of men that served under him in the shops, was a friend and associate of the men who worked with him through the years. The pleasant relations that he had with the workers was always a pleasant memory to Mr. Hayes in his later years after he had retired from active work. It being a great pleasure to him to stop and visit with old friends who had also retired from active railroad service. Mr. Hayes took a great interest in civic affairs and services as a member of the city council from the old third ward and later in a like capacity from the fourth ward. After his retirement he still continued his interest in the affairs of the city, and was called upon to serve as mayor of Plattsmouth for two years, retiring from that position some four years ago. Mr. Hayes was a member of Plattsmouth Lodge No. 6 A. F. & A. M. for many years, being honored with his fifty year button several years ago. He also was a member of Nebraska chapter No. 3 R. A. M. and Mt. Zion Commandery No. 5 Knight Templar. In the years of his life here Mr. Hayes was affiliated with the First Methodist church of this city and served as a member of the official board for many years as long as his health permitted his activity. On 1 September 1910 Mr. Hayes and Miss Genevieve Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. I. Howard, were married at Sac City Iowa, at the home of the Howard family. The bride at the time of her marriage was a teacher in the Plattsmouth city schools. They have made their home here since. There is surviving his passing the widow, Genevieve; son Robert Howard Hayes of Akron, Ohio; daughter Mrs. Jean Hayes Sales of Fort Dodge Iowa; and four grandchildren, Carolyn Lee Hayes and Kathleen Ann Hayes, children of Robert and Loretta Sweet Hayes; George Hayes Sayles and Jean Hayes Sales, children of Dr. George E. Sayles and Jean Sayles. The passing of Mr. Hayes brings a great regret in the community to which he contributed a great deal, in making a better place, and his memory will long be held in grateful remembrance by those who had the privilege of his acquaintance and friendship. The body of Mr. Hayes is at the Caldwell Funeral Home, 7th and Avenue B until the funeral services which will be on Friday afternoon at two o'clock from the First Methodist church. The interment will be at the family plot. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 Thursday evening.

Robert married Howard, Genevieve 1 Sep 1910, Sac City, Sac County, Iowa, USA. Genevieve (daughter of Howard, Francis Irwin and Fiegenbaum, Lydia Maria) was born 29 Dec 1881, Polk County, Iowa, USA; died 1 Apr 1971, Bellevue, Sarpy County, Nebraska, USA; was buried 3 Apr 1971, Plattsmouth, Cass County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. Hayes, Jean Howard was born 13 Nov 1912, Plattsmouth, Cass County, Nebraska, USA; died 26 May 1998, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, USA.
2. Hayes, Robert Howard