Dr. Gregory Vance Hayes, formerly of New Castle, IN, died recently at his residence in Bradenton, FL.
Dr. Hayes, born July 6, 1949, was the son of former Henry Superior Court Judge David E. Hayes and Mary Alice Hayes of New Castle, both deceased. His brother, Timothy L. Hayes, a member of the 101st Army Airborne Division, was killed in action in Vietnam in 1966.
Dr. Hayes graduated from New Castle High School in 1967, earned a BA from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, a MS from Ball State University, Muncie, IN, a Master's Degree of Public Health and a Doctorate of Public Health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Having an extensive career in public and environmental health and safety, Dr. Hayes served as Biological Safety Manager in the Office of Occupational Health and Environmental Safety at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA and as an adjunct professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University. He also served as the Associate Director of Health, Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, RI; Chief of State, Public Health Laboratories, Alaska Division of Public Health, Anchorage, AK, and Director of State Public Health Laboratories, Indiana State Board of Health, Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Hayes was especially gratified by his research in microbiology at the United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, from 1977-1983.
Dr. Hayes enjoyed growing ornamental orchids and unusual species of plants at his home and hosting friends and former colleagues from all over the United States and abroad. He is survived by family members Rick (Christy) Luellen and Brad (Cindy) Ormes of Indiana, Linda Shelton and Jonene Jones of Tennessee, his brother's former fiancée Louise Pike of New Castle, IN, as well as additional cousins. Dr. Hayes was also preceded in death by family member Pastor Jeff Luellen of Louisiana. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date in New Castle, Indiana.
