Robert Clarence Bayard

Robert Clarence Bayard, age 90, passed away Monday, March 4, 2019 at the McGraw Center for Caring in Jacksonville, FL.

He was born in Montclair, New Jersey, on August 8, 1928 to Caroline Diescher Bayard and Clarence Bayard. He graduated from Bloomfield High School and attended Rutgers University.

Bob was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean War at the Battle of Old Baldy, and was awarded a Purple Heart Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

After serving his country, he was a sales representative for the Dana-Wix Corporation and Co-owner of Young Hydraulics, Inc in Bloomfield, NJ, before his retirement to Florida. He was a Recovering Alcoholic and active volunteer in Alcoholics Anonymous in both New Jersey and Florida, and volunteered with Gateway Community Services, mentoring and teaching classes to young adults with addiction issues.  He also volunteered at Mayo Clinic Hospital in the Transport Department for over 5 years. His favorite assignment was transporting patients from their rooms to the car upon discharge home from the hospital and he got to know each one of them during their short trip in a wheelchair.

He was a people-person and loved to learn about people. He will also be remembered for his kindness. He was also known as “Mr. Gadget” as he loved to try out new gadgets and electronics.

Bob obtained his private pilot’s license and previously owned a Piper Cherokee airplane that he used for work and for fun.  He also enjoyed going to the movies with his daughters and loved all “chick flick” movies, especially those starring Meryl Streep, his favorite actress. He was also an avid original Star Trek fan.  He also loved all things fitness and running and was part of the “Mr. Fit” program in New Jersey. He often could be seen climbing the stairs at his residence in Cypress Village. He also sang Bass in the Big Orange Chorus, and the Cypress Village choir.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Caroline and Clarence Bayard, his former wife Avis Pohl Bayard, and his brother-in-law, Donald E. Schultz.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Camille Bayard Wagner (Richard) and Nicole Bayard DeLaGrange (Anthony) of Jacksonville, FL, his sister Carol Joan Schultz of Crocker, MO, his 8 grandchildren: Nolan Wagner, Allison Wagner, Kyle DeLaGrange and Noah DeLaGrange, all of Jacksonville, Timothy Wagner (Callie) of Fredericksburg, VA, Melissa Rizk (Bishoy) of Franklin, TN, Michael Wagner of Staten Island, NY, Rachelle Boston (Derek) of Perry, IA; his 5 great-grandchildren: Romy Wagner, August Wagner, Marina Rizk, Ezekiel Boston and Asa Boston; his niece Carol A. Schultz, nephews Donald Schultz and Robert Schultz, many great-nephews and great-nieces, many friends, and his beloved cat, Pixie.

Bob is now a Recovered Alcoholic.

Memorial Service/Gathering will be held at Cypress Village, Egret Hall, on Monday, March 18, 2019 at 10:30 AM, and interment will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Monday, March 18, 2019 at 2:00 pm sharp.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Bob’s favorite charity, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. https://www.aspca.org/

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.