Robert Cecil Hayes

Robert Cecil Hayes (19 January 1900 – 3 September 1977) was a New Zealand astronomer, seismologist and organist. He was born in Wellington, New Zealand, on 19 January 1900.

Career

Hayes did not have any formal qualifications, however he began work at the Dominion Observatory, Wellington (then named the Hector Observatory) in 1920. The observatory was responsible for maintaining the New Zealand Government Time Service. Hayes was trained in the astronomical observations necessary to keep the clocks accurate.

In 1975, in recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Hector Medal.

Personal life Hayes was born in Wellington on 19 January 1900, to Robert Edward Hayes and Ellen Thomas. He was educated in Wellington before attending Christ's College in Christchurch from 1914 to 1918. Hayes married Margaret Wyn Beere on 1 December 1932; they had two daughters. He was the organist at St Mary's Anglican Church in Karori, Wellington for 35 years. He died in Auckland on 3 September 1977.