Obituary of LTC Robert Jacob Hayden, USAF, (Ret.)

OBITUARY – LTC Robert Jacob “Bob” Hayden, (USAF, Ret.) – Services for Robert Jacob “Bob” Hayden, 82, of West Columbia, will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 170 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC , 29210. Woodridge Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family. Bob Hayden passed away peacefully on March 17, 2022 at Still Hopes Retirement Community after battling a short illness. Born at home in North, SC, he was a son of the late David Andrew and Mamie Hayden. Bob graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1963, and was a lifelong member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. After graduation, Bob served his country in the US Air Force, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the USAF Reserve.

Bob and his wife were small business owners for more than 20 years; they owned and operated G&H Mail Service in West Columbia. Previously, Bob had a first career in Economic Development for the state of South Carolina.  He was also an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for more than 40 years, and left his legacy through his God given talent with various wood-working projects for his church.

Throughout his life and especially in retirement, he fulfilled his love of the outdoors through canoeing, gardening, beekeeping, and fostering a wildlife sanctuary in his backyard. Bob was known for his bees and their honey, as well as his lime trees and his delicious key lime pies.  All of this was lovingly harvested, prepared and shared with family and friends.  He was an avid dove hunter and was a member of George Bunch Dove Club, and later, The Sandhills Dove Club. Through the years, Bob and his wife and family loved camping, hiking, traveling, tennis, sailing on Lake Murray, USC basketball games, and spending time at their home he built in the mountains.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Jerri Hayden; daughters, Tracie Ifkovits of Lexington, Lane Abrams (Todd) of Greenville; grandchildren, Hayden Ifkovits, Emiley Ifkovits, Jacob Abrams, Hollis Abrams; extended family members and dear lifelong friends. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Ann Cook, and his beloved, award-winning Boykin Spaniels, Rembert and Rocky.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Broad Neighborhood at Still Hopes Episcopal Home for their attentive care, and the support from NHC of Lexington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1487, Irmo, SC 29063.