FREDERICK HYMAN

HYMAN--Frederick Louis. Frederick Louis Hyman, former president and CEO of The Cousteau Group and co-founder and president of The Cousteau Society, died October 7, 2021 at the age of 89. He was born and raised in New York City and Westport, CT. After graduating from Westport's Staples High School, he earned his degree from the University of Connecticut. He then served as First Lieutenant, Combat Command, in the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division. His career started with Associated Artists Productions, a distributor to television of feature films and short subjects, best known for the Popeye, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series. After acquisition by United Artists Associated, he became executive vice president. He then co-owned Scope Advertising, a New York agency. He also founded Americom Corp., a manufacturer and marketer of custom records, which combined print and sound for the publishing and education markets, and also innovated a four-inch flexible single record with its own player. His experience led the famous explorer, Jacques Cousteau, to him. Mr. Hyman joined Cousteau in 1971 as president and CEO of The Cousteau Group, the operator of all Cousteau related companies; television production, publications based on expeditions, the 20-volume The Ocean World of Jacques Cousteau, and research activities aboard R/V CALYPSO. A gift by Mr. Hyman and Cousteau was the basis for their 1973 creation of The Cousteau Society (TCS), a nonprofit dedicated to the protection and improvement of marine life and the environment. Cousteau's two sons Jean-Michel and Philippe were also co-founders. Mr. Hyman was president of TCS, which believed that only an informed and alerted public could best make the choices to provide a healthier and more productive way of life for itself and for future generations. After turning the business around, he resigned but stayed on the board for many years. Over time he lost confidence in the management and no longer supported TCS. Mr. Hyman was a founding member of the Aspetuck Valley Country Club in Weston, CT. He played in three British Seniors Championships, plus many tournaments in Bermuda. He is survived by Janett, his wife of 67 years; four children, Richard (Margaret), Mark, Dean and Jane; and five grandchildren, Emily, Brent, Sarah, Ben and Olivia.