Robert Edward Hayes, 70

Aug. 17, 1949 — May 31, 2020

Robert was lovingly known as Bob to everyone, and he left this earth to meet with his wife and enter into the arms of our Lord in Heaven, early in the morning on Sunday, May 31, 2020, and had the love and voices of his daughters surrounding him as he passed. He was born in Palo Alto, Calif., to George and Barbara Hayes and was the oldest of two sons. He attended Homestead High School in Cupertino, Calif., and graduated in 1967.

Bob was drafted into the Army in 1969 and graduated from Fort Lewis, Wash. He was then sent on a tour of duty to Thailand, where he was a support to the war efforts doing data processing and information gathering.

Bob met the love of his life, Mali, in Thailand, and fell head over heels in love. When his tour was over and he was sent back to the States, he tried everything he could to find his way back to her and reenlisted in the Army. He was able to learn of an opening in an automated data processing section in Thailand and was able to head back to there, where he was the only GI with a data processing occupation specialty. He and Mali married in August 1972. They had two daughters while Bob was one of the last military personnel to be stationed in Thailand. Bob and his family flew back to California when his tour ended.

Bob spent more than 20 years in the Army, serving a country he loved. He spent time in Germany, South Korea and Okinawa, and put his heart into the work he performed. After nearly 32 years of marriage, Bob lost Mali to a car accident just weeks after his first grandchild was born.

Bob moved to North Idaho to be closer to his oldest daughter and his grandsons. He loved how beautiful the mountains were and how nice the people there could be to someone. He was always impressed with their patriotism and was humbled by their thanking him for his service.

Bob was an easy-going, fun-loving and compassionate person. He loved the San Francisco Giants, General Hospital, prime rib, a baked potato with lots of butter, his friends and especially his family. He had a soft spot for cats and veterans and would get choked up when he heard stories of goodness in people. He had a smile that would welcome you as a friend, and he put a lot of trust in people.

Bob is survived by his beloved daughters Becky Salassi and her husband, Gawain and their children, Gabe Jones and Grayson Salassi, of Post Falls and Malissa Corbett and her husband, Stephen and their daughter, Allison, of Santa Margarita, Calif.; his brother, Ron Hayes and his wife, Suzy, of Medford, Ore.; his nieces Michelle Hayes and her son, Riley Peterson, of San Jose, Calif. and Tracey Hayes and her daughter, Brynn Manning, of San Jose; as well as countless faithful friends around the world.

A celebration of life will be held at Becky’s home in Post Falls at the end of June, while a memorial service with military honors will be held in mid-July in California for family and friends. The exact time and place will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of veterans and military personnel and their families, or to your local humane society.