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RICHARD HYDE Obituary
Dr. Richard
Moorehead Hyde
Feb. 11, 1933 - Jan. 9, 2021
Dr. Richard Moorehead Hyde loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and husband of Ruth Curry Hyde, passed from this world to be with the Lord, January 9, 2021.
Richard "Dickie" Hyde was born on February 11, 1933 in Pierre, South Dakota. He attended school in Pierre and held many sporting and academic awards and honors while a student there. He married Ruth Marie Curry Hyde, also of Pierre, August 21, 1953. They had 3 children from that union: Roderick Michael, Scott Richard, and Dawn Marie Hyde. Between 1952-1962 he attended the Univerisity of South Dakota and then the University of Minnesota where he received his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology.
Dad was a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine from 1965 till his full retirement in 2007. Amongst his academic achievement and honors were: David Ross Boyd Professorship for Outstanding Medical Educator, Teacher of the Year for the OU Physicians Assistant Program 16 times, Faculty Professor at the University of Guadalajara, Kaplan Professor, Author and Co-Author of 3 textbooks used throughout the world by medical students. Editor of the Oklahoma Notes, a study guide for the National Medical Board Examination from 1975-1995.
Richard and Ruth were members of St. Lukes United Methodist Church for 55 years. He was Santa Claus to hundreds of children over the years and he delivered Meals on Wheels to those in need for over 28 years. He loved OU football and was regularly seen in the stands. Dad has 7 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren all of whom he adored and loved to spend time with. He loved family and made spending time with them a priority in his life. Dad will long be remembered for his jovial personality and sense of humor. His laugh was loud, frequent and will be missed. It was a pleasure to be in his company. A private service was held in his memory, January 12, 2021.
A special mention is to be made to the wonderful care Dad received at Quail Creek Grace Community, Jill Townsend, Rebekah Holland and the entire staff. The family is also grateful to the Accentra Hospice OKC team that cared for him in his final days. May God bless you all.
Dads favorite saying is an old Irish prayer:
"May those that love us, love us and those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts, and if He can't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles so we will know them by their limp."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD HYDE
Darlene Switalski
August 10, 2023
Dr. Hyde was a kind and generous soul in our office. He always had a jovial spirit and a heart filled with compassion in all his endeavors. Prayers for his many family members.
Bill Mrkey
January 11, 2023
Bill Markey -kai-
Mike Gilmore
February 12, 2021
Most of all, learning is a human process. Dick’s great contribution was to touch the lives of all who passed through the OUHSC Department of Microbiology and Immunology or attended the Med Micro course he led for so many years. His good humor was infectious and added a unique warmth wherever he was. Dick’s presence made long hours in the lab and often tedious hours of study more tolerable, successful and rewarding. He was wonderfully generous to the younger faculty, volunteering to drive a considerable distance in the cold to surprise our kids as Santa Claus. In a world too often focused on metrics of achievement, it is easy to lose sight of the importance of humanity. For me, Dick will always be an important tether to that. Eternal thanks.
Joe Ferretti
February 11, 2021
Dick Hyde was one of the first faculty members I met when joining the Department of Microbiology in 1969. Like Dick, I was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and that helped cement an immediate and long lasting friendship. Dick helped to get my first research grant from a local foundation and introduced me to colleagues from La Jolla, Germany, and Guadaljara, where we taught together and did research. Dick was passionate about teaching and was always a favorite professor of students. He was awarded a David Ross Boyd Professorship, one of the highest awards for teaching at OU. His review texts were best sellers among medical students. And he could be, and was, the life of the party when we needed to laugh and relax. We will always miss you great friend.
David Maserang
February 8, 2021
I consider it one of the great honors of my life to have been a graduate student of Dr. Hyde's. I had just been discharged from the Navy, and Dick immediately understood that I needed some leveling - which he kindly provided.
Dick Hyde was one of the kindliest, most generous people I have ever met. His sense of humor was contagious and freely shared with those around him. He was continually thinking about his students - both medical and graduate - and was a continuing source of inspiration for us all.
It is with deep regret that I learn of his passing. While I did not communicate much, it was always good to know I could call and get a joke and some uproarious laughter (at his own jokes!). I have had a rewarding career and a rewarding life, and I must attribute much of that to Dickie and Ruthie. God bless the Hydes.
Bob and Annie Fromtling
February 3, 2021
Dr. Hyde was a great professor, teacher and friend. We recall so many lessons in immunology that he taught. Amazing that so many diseases and syndromes that had a single sentence or paragraph in the text books when we were students now warrant full length books - we first learned of these subjects from Dick, who always presented a lively, informative, and some times humor filled, lecture. We clearly recall Dick's favorite story of having a backyard BBQ, hooking up the propane tank incorrectly and then having to hose down the grill as a large fire broke out. He said that another minute and he would have blown up the back of the house. We will miss you, Dick, and we will always have fond memories of our time together at OUHSC.
Jody Head MD
January 31, 2021
Dr. Hyde was my mentor for my Masters degree in Microbiology. He was so patient to listen to my many deliveries for a regional competition for research papers. I could almost see his eyes roll when I asked him to listen to my presentation just one more time. When I see the progress in the field of immunology, I think of Dr. Hyde and his vision. He was such a joy to work with and for.
Don and Cherie Graves
January 28, 2021
Dick was so much fun! With that booming laugh, you always knew he was in the room. We enjoyed lunches with Ruthie and Dickie and attended lovely lunches and parties at their many homes—all always beautifully decorated by Ruthie! It’s hard to imagine Dick not being around! Our prayers are with the Hyde family!
Nancy Hall
January 24, 2021
Dr Hyde was a wonderful teacher and friend to so many of us at the Health Center. I counted on his sense of humor at every faculty meeting to lighten any tension and add a breath of fresh air as well as logic to each decision. He was beloved by medical and physician associate students. We will all miss him. Our prayers are with his family as we all share the burden of his death.
Bob Hancock
January 21, 2021
So sorry for your loss Dawnie and brothers. Who did not love your dad?
Judy Beth McCrory
January 21, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. I will love you and miss you always. I have so many wonderful memories of our times we all were together. All the trips we went on. You and Ruthie are always in my heart. Losing a life partner is tough, Ruthie, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rebecca Blackstock
January 17, 2021
Dick Hyde was my major professor during my Ph.D. training and he remained an important mentor and friend throughout the rest of his life. I can attribute my future success as a scientist and professor to his continuing influence in my life. As a person he was fun loving and kind and he will always hold a special place in my heart.
Raymond Cornelison
January 17, 2021
Dr. Hyde was a wonderful Professor and I very much enjoyed his teaching. He was kind and giving. It was my honor to be his dermatologist and we had wonderful visits. My God bless him and his family as he blessed us.
Raymond Cornelison MD.
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