Bob Hayes at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House

Bob Hayes served as the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House’s photography teacher, operating from a cramped darkroom with donated chemicals and paper from the early-1970s until his death in 2006. Tall and soft-spoken, Bob seemed to be at every Nabe meeting or event, camera hanging from his neck, capturing what was happening. In his wake kids called out for him to “take my picture!” Hayes’ shot theatrical performances, political events, The Potrero View staff – the newspaper had offices in the building throughout the period – portraits, candid moments, and often former Nabe director Enola Maxwell. Present director Edward Hatter described Hayes as “an integral part of the Nabe, and Enola’s publicist, chauffeur, janitor, editor and ready to do any other thing necessary”.

Bob Hayes was born in Washington, D.C. in 1931, served in the air force in England, and shot photographs for movie studios in Hollywood. He met Enola Maxwell’s mother in the early-1970s at The Little Red Door, the 18th Street thrift store she ran, and was recruited into the Nabe family. Hayes’ photos record an animated slice of Potrero Hill history.