Robert Alan Hayes

On Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, our dear Bob peacefully passed from this life to eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ his Savior. He was surrounded all day with the love of family and friends.

Robert Alan Hayes was born in Kittanning, Pa., on Oct. 29, 1951, to Virginia K. Flenner Hayes and Dr. Sidney J. Hayes Jr.

His family moved to Billings in 1959, where he and his brothers spent their boyhood days hiking, climbing the rims, riding horses, and working on Model A Fords. He attended Poly Drive School, Lewis & Clark Junior High, and graduated from Billings West High in 1970. Bob was the 1970 state of Montana all-around gymnastics champion. He attended the University of Arizona on a gymnastics scholarship, transferred to Rocky Mountain College and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in business administration. He was a loyal Griz fan and a current Cleveland Browns fan.

On June 12, 1981,

Bob married Vicki Lynne Eastlick. The happy couple had two sons, Grant Alan in 1984 and Joseph Robert in 1990. Bob was a wonderful husband and father. His focus was on his family's needs at all times. He taught his sons many important lessons and lived his life with integrity. Bob and Vicki raised their boys in Billings until they moved to their current home in Havre in 2005. They worked together well, loving and appreciating each other every day.

In the early 1980s, he began what would become his lifelong career as a petroleum landman, making many enduring friendships along the way. He was a certified professional landman (CPL) and belonged to MAPL (Montana Association of Professional Landmen) and AAPL (American Association of Professional Landmen).

Bob worked most recently as a landman for NorthWestern Energy in Havre.

He was an expert carpenter as evidenced by the beautiful finish work he did in the family home as well as countless other projects all completed with his meticulous skill and attention to detail. At one time, he worked on the sets for the movie Missouri Breaks. Not long ago, he single-handedly built the ultimate shed which now rests at the bottom of our hillside at our beloved home in Havre. Anything Bob did, he did with his whole heart and always with excellent results.

Bob began skiing at the age of 8 and loved to ski throughout his lifetime. In his younger years, he skied the chutes in the Beartooth Pass and belonged to the White Stag Ski Club and the Red Lodge Racers. Some of his very favorite days were spent on Red Lodge Mountain. He was always ready to try different ski areas and truly enjoyed ski trips with family and friends.

Bob was an active and productive person. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, fishing, hunting and playing horseshoes, just to name a few of his activities. His annual hike to Glacier Lake was a summer highlight for all who joined him. He was a great cook and would barbecue all year long. No one ever went hungry with Bob around.

One of the great joys of Bob's life was cheering for his son Joe in Special Olympics events. He served as a Special Olympics snowshoe coach and volunteer for many years. To raise funds for the athletes and their programs, he plunged into icy water at the Sub Zero Super Hero Polar Plunge in Havre. One year he dressed as Elmer Fudd and won the Top Costume Award. He proudly displayed the picture and plaque in our home.

Bob was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. He was the one and only Bob Boy!

Bob is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki; his sons, Joseph Hayes and Grant Hayes (Grant's girlfriend Yvette Gonzalez-Quevedo); his brothers, Dr. Sidney (Connie) Hayes, Raymond (Jennifer) Hayes, Thomas (Holly) Hayes, Gary Hayes and Michael Hayes; his parents-in-law, Lee and Belle Rusch and G. Derald Eastlick; aunt-in-law, Barbara Stout; his sisters-in-law, Charlene (Kevin) Hakes and Cheri (David) Mueller; his step-brothers and sisters-in-law, Lee Rusch, Gary (Dee) Rusch, Linda (Ray) Cowles and Louann Craven; his nieces and nephew, Isaac (Lori) Hayes, Ethan Hayes, Natalie (Danny) Santaniello, Linsey (Phil) Edmonds, Tucker Hayes, Zack Hayes, Heather Hayes, Codi (Brandon) Scott; C.J. Gustafson, Erin (Jeremiah) Adams, Eric (Hannah) Mueller, and John Mueller, his step-in-law nieces and nephews, Deborah (Nicole) Rusch, Brian (Ana) Rusch, Eddie (Kristin) George, Michele Clark, Trisha (Matt) Depatie, Brandi Craven and Ricky Craven.

There are many great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends who will also miss Bob.

Donations may be made to Special Olympics Havre. P.O. Box 7791 Havre, MT 59501.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m, on Wednesday, February 26 at Faith Chapel 517 Shiloh Road Broadwater entrance, in Billings.

Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."