Dr. Ronald "Ron" Hyatt

Dr. Ronald "Ron" Hyatt, 73, died June 13, 2007 from cancer at his home in Chapel Hill, NC in the company of his wife of 45 years, Gayle Hyatt; son, Wesley Hyatt; and daughter, LuAnn Hyatt Martinson. He is also survived by his son- in-law, Skip Martinson; and two grandchildren, Bennett and Brynn, all of Charlotte.
Visitation will be held at Walker Funeral Home in Chapel Hill Friday evening from 6:00-8:00.
Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. There will be a family graveside service.
Born in Dillon County, SC on August 28,1933, to Francis Moody Hyatt and Dewey Sherman Hyatt, Ron had two sisters, Josephine Hyatt and Christine Hyatt Eshleman, and a brother, Bruce Hyatt. All preceded Ron in death.
As a child, he moved from Floydale, SC to Latta, SC. He graduated from Latta High School in 1951. He won the state scholastic achievement contest in science three times and history twice. He played on two state championship baseball teams, was on the Americas Legion Baseball team in Marion, SC and was named outstanding athlete and captain of several teams. He also played football and basketball.
He graduated from Furman University in Greenville, SC, in 1956 with a degree in Physical Education and History. He was an undergraduate assistant in intramural sports at Furman under Coach H.R. "Red" Dobson, and his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, voted him the best- liked brother. He made the Dean's List several times.
In 1956, he began a teaching and coaching career that spanned 50 years from elementary to collegiate levels. He taught elementary school in Fountain Inn, SC from 1956-57 and was an assistant coach at Daniel High School in Clemson from 1957-58. He received a fellowship to study for his master's degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958. Upon completion of his master's, he taught and coached at Lee Edwards High School (now Asheville High School) before working at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton) in Wilson for one year. He taught at Campbell College (now Campbell University) from 1962-64, where he established a scholarship. In 1964, he helped establish and worked at the North Carolina Advancement School (one of the Governor's Schools) in Winston-Salem, NC.
In 1966, UNC-Chapel Hill called him to be an intramural director and professor, launching a teaching, research and service career at Carolina that lasted for 40 years. Ron earned his Ph.D. there in 1970. He was recognized for his service to UNC in 2000 when he was awarded the C. Knox Massey Award. He received the Outstanding Teacher Award in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science and served on the faculty council and other committees. His department honored him by establishing its first scholarship (the Ronald W. Hyatt Scholarship) and naming the Woolen Gym Library after him.
One of his career highlights was as faculty marshal at UNC from 1993-2003. He led the procession at the Bicentennial Celebration in 1993, attended by President Bill Clinton.
He spoke in 38 states and 12 nations. He and Dr. Bill Freeman of Campbell University co-presented papers in eight nations. He delivered seven named lectures and was opening speaker at many state conventions. He spoke at many other organizations' meetings, such as the N.C. Pharmacy Association, the N.C. Community College Association, and church-related organizations.
He was a national and international figure in intramural sports. He published a textbook on the subject and held many workshops and clinics on campus intramural programs. He published more than 40 articles, monographs, and chapters in books related to intramurals, the Olympics, technology and sports, and social issues in sports.
He helped bring State Employees Credit Union (SECU) to Chapel Hill and served on its first Board of Directors. He was its chair when the Pittsboro Street office opened. He helped establish the Faculty Staff Recreation Association, was chair of the UNC Faculty Dance Group and was a member of the Carolina Club Board of Directors.
He received 27 honors, service awards or leadership awards from 11 sports and recreation organizations, including the N.C. Long Leaf Pine Award, the Carolina Priceless Gym Award from the UNC Athletic Department, and the H.R. Dobson Award from Furman University.
He served on the N.C. Governor's Fitness Council for eight years and was its chair for two years. He served on the Governor's Task Force on Cardiac Health and Stroke Prevention and the Advocacy Committee for the North Carolina Heart Association. He was chosen as one of the outstanding volunteers in the state of North Carolina for his work with recreation and youth programs.
He was twice elected President of the North Carolina Alliance of Health, Physical Education, and Dance (NCAHPERD). He won the National Honor Award given by NCAHPERD's parent organization, the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD). He served as President of the Southern District of AAHPERD and on numerous AAHPERD committees. He was a lifetime member of seven organizations, including the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association.
Active in the parks and recreation movement in North Carolina, he was named a Fellow in the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Society. He helped establish the North Carolina Citizens Advisory Boards and Recreation Organization, and was active in it for more than 20 years. He was a representative to the Southern Region and served as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Legislative Committee. He was on the Legislative Committee when the North Carolina Heritage Trust Fund was established. He served on the Orange County Recreation Advisory Board for more than eight years and helped draw up two master park plans and pass two bond issues on and for recreation.
He was a retired Colonel in the N.C. National Guard with more than 41 years service including the standby and ready reserve. He was a guest lecturer at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS, a graduate of the Army War College, the Commandant of the North Carolina Military Academy, and the architect of the North Carolina Tuition Assistance Plan, which became a model for the Montgomery Bill, providing educational opportunities for all National Guard and Reservists. He commanded the 730th Maintenance Battalion in Butner, NC and led the basic combat training company at Camp Butner and at Fort Bragg in the Vietnam War. The training was so rigorous that his units were excused from attending basic training.
Active in civic affairs in Chapel Hill, he was President of the Chapel Hill Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, served on the Chapel Hill Museum Board and was co-chair of the Culbreth Middle School PTO. He was active in the Chapel Hill Sports Club and worked with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association on several projects.
He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at University Baptist Church and a deacon at University Presbyterian Church, both in Chapel Hill.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-CH CB# 7295, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295; UNC Hospice, P.O. Box 1077, Pittsboro, NC 27312; or the Ronald W. Hyatt Undergraduate Scholarship in Exercise and Sports Science to the UNC Department of Exercise and Sports Science, CB#8770, 209 Fetzer Gymnasium, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8770.