Roger Alexander Hayden II, who served on the Montgomery Community Media board for more than six years and provided legal services to that organization, died June 23 following a two-year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was 66.
“We will always remember his wonderful sense of humor, affable nature and willingness to serve his community through his voluntary commitment to MCM and many other worthy charities and nonprofits throughout Montgomery County,” said My MCM CEO Nannette Hobson. “We offer our deepest condolences to Roger’s wife, Diane, their children and extended family.”
Hayden grew up on a farm in Poolesville and remained in his beloved town his whole life. He attended Bullis High School in Potomac and worked in the family ceramic tile business. He graduated from Randolph-Macon College in 1978 and received his law degree in 1982 from The George Mason University Law School.
He practiced law in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia for more than 40 years. He served as deputy general counsel for a $2 billion savings bank and as regional counsel for a national title insurance company. He entered private practice in 1996. After more than 20 years as a partner in a 16+ attorney law firm in Bethesda, where he chaired the firm’s real estate, business, employment and litigation group, he and his wife opened their own law firm in Poolesville, known as Hayden Legal Services.
Hayden served as president of the Poolesville High School PTSA, where he was instrumental in helping get the Magnet Program established; taught religious studies at his church for more than 12 years; was a youth leader for the local Knights of Columbus council; and was active in the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America as a leader and counselor. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Shrine in Barnesville.
He enjoyed collecting, driving and working on Mustangs and muscle-cars.
Roger is survived in death by his wife of 34 years, Diane D. Hayden, and their three children: daughters, Caroline Hayden and Elizabeth (Ahmad) Chabkoun; and son, Roger (Alex) Alexander Hayden, III. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte Baker, a niece, Christina and nephew, Jason as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was the son of Roger Alexander Hayden and Mary Frances Hayden (nee Hodgkin) of Poolesville.
Funeral arrangements are provided by the Hilton Funeral Home of Barnesville.
Services will be held June 30 at St. Mary’s. Viewing and visitation begins at 10 a.m. with a Mass and internment immediately following. Interment will be in the church cemetery, followed by a luncheon at St. Mary’s pavilion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Shrine, P.O. Box 67, Barnesville, MD 20838.
