Former County Executive Robert Hayden dies at 74

Former Baltimore County Executive Robert B. Hayden, who also served on the county’s Board of Education for more than 13 years, died today. He was 74.

Hayden was the last Republican to serve as the county’s chief executive, with his term running from 1990 to 1994. He was also a member of the school board from 1974 to 1987 before being appointed again by Gov. Larry Hogan in 2017.

“We collectively mourn the passing of former Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden,” County Executive Johnny Olszewski said in a statement. “A dedicated public servant and tireless advocate for public education, County Executive Hayden exemplified what it means to give back to our communities. Baltimore County is stronger for his service and my sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

The local Republican Party issued the following statement on its Facebook page: “The Baltimore County Republican Party wishes to express our deepest sympathy to Roger Hayden’s family. He was the last Republican County Executive in our county. He was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for Baltimore County. Rest In Peace, Roger.”

According to the school board, Hayden was the president of Hayden Consulting Group, but had a diverse career that included work in finance, operations, facilities management and transportation.

He was the vice president of finance and then vice president of operations at Eastern Stainless Steel, vice president of administration at George Transfer, director of facility operations for the Baltimore Orioles, and associate vice president for facilities management at Towson University, the school board’s website said.

Funeral Services will be held in St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3911 Sweet Air Road, in Phoenix, Md., at 11 a.m. Saturday. He will be buried in Interment Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery in Glen Arm, Md.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Hayden’s name to Camp Opportunity, 17 Seven Springs Court, Phoenix, Md. 21131 or visit www.campopporunity.org.

–Baltimore Watchdog Staff