Death date: Jan 21, 2015
Mahlon F. “Mike” Hayden died on January 21, 2015. He was born on May 18, 1929 in North Adams, MA where he attended local public schools. After Army service in Panama he attended and graduated from Williams College. Later he earned Read Obituary
Mr. Hayden was my most memorable teacher from E. O. Smith and helped make physics and chemistry understandable and set me on the path to be an engineer. I liked his tests where you could have a little 3x5 cheat card because you still had to know the material but didn't have to stress about forgetting some fact or formula.
He was a great teacher and a wonderful man. I had the pleasure of seeing him many years after high school when I was asked to restore an antique sign for the Stafford Historical Society. My heartfelt sympathy to his family. Jan McCollum class of "67"
Fond memories and much appreciation to Mr. Hayden for teaching us ChemH/PhysicsH, where we learned a whole new way to approach the world.
On behalf of the Williams Class of 1952, we would like to extend sincere condolences to his wife and family for their loss, which is a loss to his Alma Mater as well. Mike was a two year Veteran of the U.S.Army in 1946-47 before he came to Williams, where he majored in Chemistry. He taught in public schools for 37 years, and was revered by his students. He exemplifies the application of creativity and industry to an outstanding career. We will miss him.
Mr. Hayden was one of the best teachers I ever had. I took every class he taught at EOS. His ability convey the beauty and simplicity of processes that are generally considered hard, complex, and boring made us LIKE science class and contributed to my development as a scientist.
I loved Mr. Hayden's Phys H/ Chem H classes at EO Smith. His excitement about the scientific concepts and practical applications of the material shone through. Later, in college classes, I benefitted from the methods he had taught for organizing the information for solving a problem correctly. We were lucky to have been taught by such a talented man. Thank you, Mr. Hayden. Melissa Sheardwright
Mr. Hayden taught Chem/Phys H to at least three of our children at EOSmith. He was regarded as an excellent teacher. There can be no higher praise. Our sincere condolences to his family. The Walker Family
Over the years, I thought often of Mike's love of poetry and one particular poem he wrote and shared during a poetry workshop - it obviously made a deep impression - with the words "cleaning dooryard" -
Mike was always kind to beginning poets, and he and Jean were a great couple.
My condolences to the family -
Candace Hall
Jean - Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We know he will be missed by all. With love - Rob & Cynthia Cole
Dear Jean and Family:
I was saddened to hear of Mike's passing and recall the exceptional member of our E.O.Smith faculty over the many years I taught at Smith. He leaves a great legacy to all of his students and colleagues-- a leader, a great role model for young teachers and volunteer for the Mansfield community. I recall Mike and Jean's participation in the Blood Drives at Smith, after his retirement--- still giving and sharing their talents with our school and community. He was a sharing star in our exceptional faculty and a fine human being.
My best to your family.
Richard Elias, Stratford, CT.
