Robert F. Haynsworth, of Ruidoso, NM, was born on July 16, 1921 and raised in Sumter, South Carolina. In high school he was an outstanding athlete in several sports, and then attended the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. After graduating 1942, Bob served four years in the Army, two of which were in the South Pacific under General Douglas MacArthur. He was discharged as a Major in 1946 with two Bronze Combat Stars. During this time he was sent to Ft. Bliss in El Paso where he met Hazel Cooper. They married in March 1946. They lived for a short time in South Carolina, and then he and Hazel settled in El Paso. Bob developed and built a significant part of El Paso through Haynsworth and Associates, General Contractor. Among other awards, Bob served five years as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the State of Texas. He was honored as One of the Five Outstanding Young Texans in 1952. The Key to the City of El Paso was awarded to Bob as well as El Paso’s highest honor: the Conquistador Award – twice. He was also given Kiwanis Club Award of Outstanding Service to the City of El Paso, Award of Appreciation of Patriotic Service to the Department of the Army, Citation of Merit from the Disabled American Veterans, the Humanitarian Award from the National Council of Christians and Jews, the Heart Association Outstanding City Award, and the Board of Realtors Citizen of the Year Award. He was also founder and President of Surety Savings and Loan, and founder and Director of the Bank of El Paso, the First International Bank of El Paso, Ruidoso State Bank (in New Mexico), and Mountain Bell Telephone Company. He is also known for his outstanding civic work for the city he loved, El Paso, including: President of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, Southwestern Sun Carnival Association and was President of the University of Texas at El Paso Touchdown Club. He also was President of UTEP’s President’s Associates Executive Committee, YMCA, the El Paso Association of Home Builders, and the Texas Industrial Commission. Bob loved baseball and was founder of Little League of Baseball in El Paso. He formed an organization to raise money to keep El Paso’s professional baseball team. In 1995, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Horse racing was always a part of his life. He was the general manager for the Sunland Park Racetrack for a short time, and was co-owner of a stable of horses for many years. He and Hazel were founders and organizers of the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association. It is believed that he and his wife won as many horse races at New Mexico racetracks as any other owners. Bob had an amazing memory and never forgot anyone he had ever met. He loved playing jokes on his friends and family, and teasing the grandkids who enjoyed returning the favor. The last four years he lived with his daughter in Ruidoso where he thoroughly enjoyed visiting with all of his friends and family. We will all miss his cheerfulness, his thoughtfulness and his strong commitment to his family and friends. His survivors include his children Dr. Robert Haynsworth of Dallas and Jan Haynsworth Cowan of Ruidoso; six grandchildren: Jason Haynsworth (Liz), Major Paul Haynsworth (Darla), Laura Haynsworth, Kimberly Haynsworth, Rachel Greene (Marlo) and Andrew Cowan, and seven great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Tuesday March 4, 2014 at Western Hills United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of El Paso or the YWCA. Tags: 1942
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