Robert Hays

Bob was born on March 4, 1926, in West Orange, New Jersey to Frank and Esther (Tripp) Hays. Upon graduating high school, Bob entered the armed forces, and he served in the air force during World War II from 1943-1945. He also played his trombone in the military band. Bob received his Engineering degree from the Newark College of Engineering in 1949. On June 24, 1950, he married the love of his life, Helen Moore Christison. They raised two daughters, Susan and Sharon. The family moved to Overland Park, Kansas in 1960, when Bob was transferred for his job with Western Electric. He went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Missouri in 1966 with the assistance of Helen, who received her PHT (Putting Hubby Through). Bob worked for Western Electric for 30 years before retiring in 1985. He retired his wristwatch that day as well, and he spent his retirement doing what he loved most.

Bob was a talented artist who loved the outdoors. He often combined these two passions to create extraordinarily lifelike oil paintings and sketches. He loved to play golf, and he enjoyed fishing. In his spare time, Bob could be found playing with his grandkids and great grandkids, enjoying a cookie or two, and humming a tune. He was the epitome of humility and generosity, and those closest to him knew well his ability to build or create just about anything they could imagine. From doll cradles, desks, sandboxes, and wooden rocking horses, to Halloween costumes, to backyard decks, and even an entire house, Bob the Builder did it all. He created a magical Christmas light display that mesmerized his grandchildren growing up. He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, or an ice cream cone to anyone who was sick, as he knew that “ice cream makes everyone feel better.” Bob met every task with a “No Problem” mindset. He quietly observed and never criticized. He preferred not to receive praise or attention. He remained present in every moment.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Frank, his mother, Esther, and his siblings Frank II and Maude. He is survived by his wife, Helen Hays, his two daughters, Susan Hays of Canberra, Australia, and Sharon Tafreshi of Overland Park, KS, his six grandchildren, Kylie Mulligan, Azita (Tafreshi) Roberson, Erica Roughton, David Tafreshi, Paresa Tafreshi, and Joseph Mulligan, and his great grandchildren Thea, Laurie, Ashleigh, Jim, Fallon, Olivia, and Hays.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2020, at the Church of the Resurrection in the Wesley Chapel at 11 o’clock a.m. Due to health concerns from COVID-19, the service will also be live-streamed at: https://cor.org/memorialsonline/ (link below) so that all of those who wish to honor Bob can virtually attend. We ask that you virtually sign the guest book on this page and leave a message for Helen.

Helen requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to either the Church of the Resurrection (https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/in-kind-donations) or to the Kansas City Hospice House (https://www.kchospice.org/donation/).