Howard R. Hayes ’57

We recently received word of Howie’s death June 19, 2023, at his summer home in Egg Harbor, Wis.

A longtime resident of Illinois, he came to Princeton from the Lawrenceville School. He participated in crew for two years, joined Dial Lodge, and majored in the Woodrow Wilson School. His roommate senior year was Bill Wilde.

After graduation Howie earned an MBA from Northwestern, followed by service in the Army for two years, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. During this period he married Charlotte Massey, a Northwestern graduate, whom he had met as a child, and they had three children, Kristin ’83, Howie Jr., and Barbara. He worked in retail sales and management for many years, first with Sears, Roebuck and then Spurgeon Mercantile, a chain of small department stores in the Midwest that was founded by his grandfather.

In our 50th-reunion yearbook, Howie called himself “an optimist,” with a view of positive developments in the government and economy. He was also a firm believer in the Christian religion, as an active member of the Kenilworth, Ill., Union Church.

Howie is survived by his wife of 65 years, Charlotte; and their three children and their families.