Birth date: Feb 14, 1947 Death date: Nov 21, 2025
The novelist and retired University of Arkansas professor Donald “Skip” Hays passed away on the morning of November 21, 2025 at the age of seventy-eight at his home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, after a long bout with cancer. He is s Read Obituary
Skip was selfless in giving his time to his students and truly cared about their development as fiction writers. His guidance in workshops was marked by its wisdom, humor, kindness, and acute insight. He gave a tremendous amount of himself to the M.F.A. program, always with humility and an overwhelming concern for his students.
Skip’s story about his dad saying Skip wasn’t any use “come hog-killing time,” and the way he laughed every time he told it to students at the bar after workshop when they asked about his conscientious objector journey, still makes me laugh. And the memory of how he could fix you with those blue eyes in class and say with all the gravel on earth, “that’s right” still chills my blood.
I met Skip at SAU during the 1968-69 school year where he and Patty were students and I was teaching and where on campus happenings helped fuel the fire for what was to become The Dixie Association. His and Patty's relationship became a love story for the ages. Having them and Gabe in my life has been-- no single word can do justice here--a joy.
Patty Besom
Skip Hays is truly unforgettable. A few of the things I could never forget about him include his uncanny way of sharing a funny story, his head full of gorgeous silver white hair, and his walls full of books. But the most unforgettable thing about Skip is the unbelievable love story he shares with Patty. This love story includes his son, Gabe, and his 3 beautiful grandchildren. The relationships Skip built and maintained with so many students and friends are a true testament to the kind of man he was. He will be missed!!!!
Skip was the finest storyteller I have ever known. He once made me laugh so hard I literally fell down. His stories were full of life—and full of love. I will miss him until the end of my days.
