Robert Louis Hayford

Robert Louis Hayford, 88, passed away June 1, 2019 in Mansfield.
Robert was born June 27, 1930 to Clarence Leslie and Frances Josephine (Wold) Hayford in Minneapolis, Minnesota, moving to Glendive, Montana in 1941. Bob joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and became a fighter pilot, flying patrols over the North Atlantic, during the Cold War. Obtained BSME from University of Oklahoma in 1961. Joined Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) developing satellite technology in Los Angeles. Transferred to USAF HQ in the Pentagon. Obtained MS Administration from George Washington University as well as diploma from Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). As program director of the NATO III Satellite Communications Program, he led a successful satellite launch in 1976, pioneering GPS technology. Retired as Colonel in 1977. Spent 20 years at Vought Corporation (later LTV Missiles and Electronics Group) in Grand Prairie, Texas before retiring in Mansfield, Texas.
Preceded in death: Father: Clarence Leslie Hayford; Mother: Frances Josephine Wold Hayford; Wife Joyce Cato Hayford, brother William Leslie Hayford, grandchild Chad Hayford and great grandchild Nolan Pusateri.
Bob is survived by his wife, Patricia; children Stacey Hayford Hamaker (husband Walter Arnold Hamaker), Robert Louis Hayford, Jr. (wife Kimberly Mills Hayford) and Drey Andrew Hayford (wife Karen McClure Hayford); and half siblings Chery (Trocinsky) Popiel, Peggy Hayford and Linda (Hayford) Dorris, grandchildren Kyle Hayford, Brooke Hadley, Ashley Paramore and Amie Hamaker, Skylar Hayford and brother Dennis Lin Hayford.
In lieu of flowers, Bob's family wishes donations be made, in Bob's name, to the Alzheimer's Foundation at www.alzfdn.org