Obituary - Robert Joseph Hayes

SFC (Ret) Robert Joseph Hayes (Joe) was born on June 11,1949, in Richmond, VA, to the late Robert and Patricia Frances Hayes.

He died on July 8, 2023 at the age of 74.

He was a decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War; enlisting in the Army in 1970 and serving our national defense dutifully for over 20 years retiring in 1990. Even though he retired from the Military; he always stayed a “soldier at heart”.

He graduated from VCU with a M.S. in Business/Computer Science; and worked for the Virginia Department of Education and the City of Richmond as a computer analyst.

SFC Hayes's last mission was fighting bravely to live as long as possible to be present for his family; only succumbing to his Vietnam's Agent Orange lung cancer and scarred lungs. During these last critical months of progressively not being able to breathe, he would often say about his daughters who were his caregivers, "I wouldn't have been here this long if it wasn't for the care Loren and Cheryl have given me...I am so proud and thankful for them."

"Joe" is survived by his supportive and loving wife, Brenda Hudgins Hayes, married just 2 months shy of 45 years; his daughters and grandchildren and great grandchildren: Loren Canipe Johnson (Katelyn Johnson ( Arianna, Payton and Hayden Le Clerc); Cheryl Canipe (Donnie and Danielle Edwards), Kelly Hayes Gleason (Billie). He is also survived by his siblings: Mary Hayes Mule, Margaret Hayes and Frank Hayes; including a host of many nieces and nephews; and his lifelong childhood friend, James (Jim) Vines from Verona, Va.

Knowing how many Soldiers/Veterans are and will be affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially with a 20 + War, his wishes were to be make something positive from his sufferings from PTSD and Agent Orange so he wanted his Brain and Spinal Cord to be donated to the VA PTSD Brain Bank in Boston University; as well as offering the rest of his body to Medical Science through the Anatomical Gifts Donation organization in Maryland. Eventually a Private ceremony will follow at a future date.

In Lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity, etc...Just Hug your Loved Ones tightly....knowing..we all only have ONE DAY...at a Time.