Robert David Hayes passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the age of 80. David was born on June 9, 1946 in Bastrop, Louisiana to Charles Hayes and Grace Hayes (Collum).

David graduated from Watson Chapel High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1964, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in chemistry. While attending university, David met and married his beloved wife, Victoria Lynn Turchi, at St. Josephs in Pine Bluff, in 1967.

After obtaining his master’s degree in chemistry from Murray State, David worked for the International Paper company for over 30 years. Following his retirement from the paper company, David and family moved to the Northwest Arkansas area where he could focus on his passion for teaching and lab safety as the chemistry lab coordinator at the University of Arkansas. He held that position until 2015.

David was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan who loved the outdoors, particularly fishing, and his family. His passion for family was evident; he and Victoria had 6 children of their own and fostered over 32 children together. David’s family remembers him as charitable, giving, and trusting. But even others were drawn to his generous nature, to the point where strangers would leave their baby with him while they ran errands in the airport.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria; his parents, Charles and Grace; and one son, Patrick Lee Hayes. David is survived by five children­—Monica Lynn Livingston and Scott of Melton, Florida; Michelle Lynn Terrell and Pam of Milford, Ohio; Melanie Lynn Moore of Milford, Ohio; Meredith Lynn Hayes and Sean Eason of Rogers, Arkansas; and Mariana Lynn James and Jacob of Farmington, Arkansas; two sisters—Phyllis Wallace and Hamp of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; and Susan Dean and David of Hensley, Arkansas; and seven grandchildren—Leanna Polk, Barbara Terrell, Bernadette Terrell, Joshua James, Emma James, Payton Moore, and Brylee Eason.

A funeral mass for David will be held Monday, September 21, 2026, 2:00 p.m., at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale, Arkansas. Father Manik Kotha will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Farmington Cemetery in Farmington, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Jacob James, Sean Eason, Joshua James, Evan Sasowsky, Michael Lander, and Scott Livingston.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to institutions dear to David’s heart, St. Raphael Catholic Church or St Jude Children’s Hospital.