2018 Race Season to Benefit the Alzheimer Society of BC (In Memory of Robert Hayden)

For Granddad:

Deacon Robert (Bob) Hayden 89, passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at Walnut Alzheimer's Special Care Center. Bob grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, the son of Robert & Hazel Hayden.

As a high school freshman, he entered Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. In 1945 he moved to Evansville, IN and graduated from Memorial High School in 1946. He served in the armed forces and graduated from the Technical Arts Institute in Chicago as an auto mechanic. He married Lucie Loehr and was loving and dedicated husband for 68 years. He worked as a parts clerk, a salesman and eventually became president of Lannert-Moutoux Warehouse. Bob was owner of East Side Auto Parts and Penny Auto Parts and in 1990 retired from his business commitments.

Bob was inducted into the Greater Evansville Automotive Hall of Fame for his dedication to the Automotive Aftermarket and for his superior service to the industry.

Bob was a charter member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and was the first president of the Parish Council. He coached Little League for nine years and served his parish in many capacities. He constantly attended theology classes to enhance his Catholic Christian knowledge. Bob joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul when he was in his twenties. He held offices in the Society on the Parish, Diocesan and National levels.

Bob dedicated his life to taking care of the spiritual needs of others through the Society. The first homeless shelter for families in Evansville, the Ozanam Family Shelter was initiated by Bob and he served as its President of the Board for twenty years.

On January 19, 1991, Bob was ordained a permanent deacon of the Catholic Church and was assigned to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Oakland City, IN for three years. He continued his ministry at Holy Redeemer. Deacon Bob was the facilitator 'with RCIA Process and "Catholics Returning Home" for many years. He retired from his Deaconate duties in 2013, continuing to visit the nursing homes, hospitals and shut-ins.

Bob enjoyed working out at the YMCA. He and Lucie also liked to travel and dance.

Robert was proceeded in death by his parents, a sister, Wanda McPharlin; and a brother, Richard Hayden. He is survived by his wife Lucie (Loehr) Hayden; children, Connie (Dan) McPeak of Tampa,FL; Dan (Susie) Hayden of Mt. Vernon, IN; Jim (Debbie) Hayden, Larry (Teri) Hayden, Jeff (Donna) Hayden, Laura (Ron) Hudson, Deanna (Rob) Brown all of Evansville, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren.

At the Memorial Service, my uncle told a story that personifies Granddad better than I ever could.  My uncle recalled one of his basketball games in which Granddad was constantly yelling at the referee.  The referee, in an attempt to quiet Granddad, offered his whistle with the challenge, "If you think you can do a better job, then you do it!"

Granddad took the whistle and refereed the rest of the game.

In the words of my uncle, "He saw something that was not right, and he fixed it."

in a world where turning a blind eye on the things that are wrong is easy, it is sometimes hard to do the right thing and fix it.

This is the lesson I will carry with me along side all the memories I have of Granddad.

For the past 6 years, I have participated in countless endurance sports while raising money for various charities. Racing for a charity not only benefits the charity, but gives me added motivation/inspiration while racing.  When I need a push, I can think about those I am racing for. I can now add Granddad to my list of motivation/inspiration.