Robert Patrick Hayman, age 85, formerly of Princess Anne, MD, died of complications from diabetes on September 27, 2024, in Prescott, AZ. A retired associate judge of the District Court of Maryland, he moved to Arizona in 2016. Judge Hayman was born in Salisbury, Maryland, in 1938 to Francis Lake Hayman and Marion Cochran Hayman. He attended Washington High School, and was graduated from St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE in the class of 1956. He obtained a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Virginia in 1960 and entered the University of Virginia School of Law the following year. In 1961 he enlisted in the US Army as a paratrooper and served as special agent with the Counter-Intelligence Corps in Germany, receiving an honorable discharge in 1964. He was employed by the DuPont Company in Philadelphia and California until 1968. He received a juris doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1971.
He joined the firm of Bennett & Hayman in Crisfield, Maryland, later establishing private practice in Princess Anne and serving as assistant public defender for Somerset County from 1973 to 1999 when he was appointed associate judge in the District Court of Maryland in 1999, serving until his retirement in 2008. He continued to fill temporary judicial assignments until 2016.
A versatile athlete, he was fond of waterskiing from The Necessary Evil, a speed boat he owned with his brother. Judge Hayman played football and lacrosse and rowed crew in high school. While in college he was captain of the swimming team and played varsity lacrosse for three years. He later enjoyed cruising and racing his sailboat Owl, skiing, tennis and skeet shooting. He also owned and raced Formula Vee cars for several years.
An avid reader of history, he collected firearms and was a skilled marksman both at game bird hunting and waterfowl. He was a member of the Ranch at Prescott community poker group. For 25 years, he was a Los Caballeros camp member of the Desert Caballeros Ride.
His marriage to Joan Schoettle in 1967 ended in divorce. Their son, Barry Schoettle Hayman, died in 1985. In 1984 he married Carol Kaiser Wilson who survives him. In addition to his widow, he is survived by stepson Marshall Wilson of Denver, CO and stepdaughter Wendy Wilson Reese of Overland Park, KS. He is also survived by a brother, William Michael Hayman of Washington DC and a sister, Louise Lake Hayman of Annapolis, MD, stepbrother Dallas Gant and stepsister Susan Gant Bjerke, both of Wickenburg, AZ. Several cousins, nieces, nephews and two step grandchildren also survive.
Judge Hayman was a lifelong member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Princess Anne, serving as its treasurer for many years. He was a member of the Cambridge Yacht Club, the Somerset County Historical Trust, and the boards of the Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture and the Maryland Historical Society.
A memorial gathering will be held on October 27 at 2:00 p.m. at Brentwood Farm, Princess Anne. Interment will be held at St. Andrew's Church cemetery at a later date. Memorial tributes may be sent to St. Andrew's Church, 11710 Beckford Avenue, Princess Anne MD 21853.