Norwich University

Robert C. "Skimmer" Hayden made his mark on Norwich athletics not on the playing field, but through his involvement in the modernization of the university's athletic facilities. His dedication to the Norwich athlete helped transform aging and often inadequate playing fields and arenas into state of the art facilities, not only making it possible for individual athletes to compete against their peers at other universities on an equal level, but helping the school attract outstanding high-school athletes into the Corps by offering them an environment where they could excel and thrive on the field as well as in the classroom. 
Few athletic events at Norwich were conducted during his more than 30 years with the university without Bob somewhere on the sidelines or in the stands. He was an inspiration to the program as well as to many individual athletes. It is not an exaggeration to say that Bob Hayden was one of the most "recognizable" personalities on the Norwich campus for many years. 
Among the projects Bob put his love and energies into are the Shapiro Field House, Andrews Hall, Goodyear Pool, the new ski life and facilities which are the largest modern on-campus ski facilities in the country, Taylor Hockey Arena, the rugby field, the soccer field and the intramural and practice fields. Bob was also involved in the construction of numerous other buildings, including Harmon Hall and the new library which was conceived while Bob was still at the university. 
Bob was Director of Physical Plant from 1953 to 1986. Prior to that, he taught Civil Engineering at Norwich from 1942 to 1948, and was Northfield's Municipal Manager from 1948 to 1953. 
In addition to his many accomplishments at Norwich, Bob found time to involve himself in many civic organizations and activities. He was a member of the Village Board of Trustees, the Board of Scholl Directors, and the Northfield Memorial Park when construction of the park took place. Bob was Chair of the Board of Civil Authority and was a Justice of the Peace (he married Bob Priestley and his wife, Justine). He remains a member of the Rotary Club, the Conversational Club, the Norwich Board of Fellows, Senior Citizens and the Advisory Board of the Northfield Branch of the Merchants Bank. Bob is also a Corporator of Northfield Savings Bank. 
Bob and Gwendolyn have two sons, both of whom graduated from Norwich. Richard, class of '68, was a three-year starter on the soccer team as a goalie, and David, class of '71, was a member of the soccer team that was selected to represent the United States on a European tour during the summer of 1971. Bob and Gwendolyn continue to reside in Northfield.