Neil Hyde

Neil S. Hyde, 82, of Spokane, passed away on July 25, 2013, after a long battle with heart disease.

Neil was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Charles Sheldon and Eleanor Murray Hyde. He was raised in the Coeur d’Alene and North Idaho region and graduated Coeur d’Alene High School in 1949.

He married Mary Ellen Hallvik in July 1956, and they had two daughters, Sally Hyde and husband Bud Sizemore, and Susan Hagen and husband Todd, who were born and raised in North Idaho and Northwest Montana. His grandson Jacob Hagen was his pride and joy.

Neil graduated from University of Idaho in 1962 with a bachelor of science in forest management and received a master’s in silviculture in 1973. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a forester and silviculturist for more than 25 years.

He truly loved the great outdoors and would often work for days alone, hiking in the woods. In his off time, he loved to garden and fish.

He spent his retirement years studying his family’s history and genealogy. He became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution in 2002 and became a very active member of his local chapter, volunteering at naturalization ceremonies for new citizens and endowing honors to local heroes. He dedicated countless hours in volunteer service to the Spokane Veterans Hospital and Veterans Home. 

He loved to tell stories and teach kids of all ages, especially about nature and the importance of family histories. He was a long-time and very active member of his church community at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Spokane, where he was known to be a true storyteller, teacher, patriot and volunteer who loved his family dearly, and they him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Paul Eugene Hyde, sister Norma Hyde Bratlie, brother-in-law Harold Bratlie, stepfather Ray Beaulieu and nephew Bret Hyde.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, sons-in-law and grandson as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Neil will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Spokane. on Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, at 11 a.m.

The family requests donations be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in lieu of flowers.