ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – People across the country are celebrating the life of a St. Augustine man remembered as a civil rights leader.
Dr. Robert Hayling died Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale. He was 86.
His efforts in St. Augustine led to the passing of a Civil Rights Act that shaped the nation.
"Our young people need to know that Dr. Hayling played a pivotal role in the gains that were made that we can go to Florida State and the University of Florida, because there was a time when we could not go,” former Florida Sen. Tony Hill said.
Discrimination, segregation and inequality will always be a part of American history. But along with those are memories of Hayling, a prominent civil rights leader whose courage changed everything.
"We had some great moments as he now transitions into glory, but we who are left here are here to tell the story,” Hill said.
Hill knew Hayling for many years and considers him a good friend.
"He was very humble,” Hill said. “He would sign his name and at the end he would say 'Never give up.' Very humble, very approachable, very down to earth."
And Hayling never gave up on his quest for equality. In 1960, Hayling moved to St. Augustine, opening his own dental practice. He organized and participated in numerous organizations and protests for social change. He and a few other activists were even beaten during a KKK rally.
"They went to a Klan meeting, and they got caught, and they broke all of his knuckles,” Hill said. “They said, 'Let's make sure this guy never practices again.'"
It wasn't until 1964 that St. Augustine took the world stage. Black and white swimmers jumped into a hotel's pool to protest its "whites-only" policy. The protest was part of a nonviolent youth movement organized by Hayling.
"The iconic moment was when they went to go get into the pool, and the guy poured acid in it,” Hill said.
Word spread like wildfire after a picture of the disturbing scene was shared. Hayling also reached out to other prominent civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It ultimately led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Throughout his life, Hayling was recognized for his role as a civil rights leader. He was inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
"When he received that reward that day, it was so powerful,” Hill said. “He said when he was a little boy he used to mow the grass up here, but couldn't even enter the (Capitol) building, and now you're honoring me today. That was a momentous occasion."
Hayling has also been referred to as the "Father of the St. Augustine Movement."
"He lived full and died empty,” Hill said. “He was the epitome and icon that will truly be missed because now we have to revert to pictures and memories."
Memories that Hill said he will share in hopes of continuing Hayling's work and legacy.