David Charles Hyde

David Charles Hyde was born on August 11, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Charles W. Hyde and Esther Elizabeth Pool Hyde. He graduated as Valedictorian from Broad Ripple High School in 1940, where he played on the basketball team and in the band. David won that year's Marion County Achievement Test and studied chemical engineering at Purdue University, from which he graduated with high honors in 1943. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Transport Command in India, China and the Philippines. Upon returning to Indianapolis, David resumed his courtship of Esther Warren Steele, whose father had preached at Purdue's Methodist Church, and they married at Dr. Steele's new church in Duluth, Minnesota, on June 14, 1948. Their devoted and affectionate marriage lasted over sixty years, until her death.

Carried on the books of Eli Lilly & Co. during his World War II service, David worked there successfully as a chemical engineer for forty-three years, notably assisting in the development of Merthiolate, V-cillin K, oral insulin, and Keflex among many others. David missed only one day of work during his entire career, as the result of another engineer's exploding still that he shut down in time to avoid a far worse explosion. He checked himself out of the hospital and returned to work at his lab the next day. A dogged and determined engineer, with earnestness leavened by a dry sense of humor, he looked at many aspects of life as engineering problems that could be solved by careful study, hard work and innovative solutions. In his eighties, David re-roofed his own house, despite the concerns of his children, and the worries of his wife.

A gifted photographer who often developed his own images, and later embraced digital photography and Photoshop, David took his Argus C-2 with him during his World War II service, and captured many haunting and evocative images. He continued photography as long as he lived, and was a long-time member of the Photo Venture Camera Club. David's outstanding life's work was recognized with an extensive curated exhibition of his photographs at the Dress Circle of Indianapolis' Hilbert Circle Theatre. David's photographic subjects reflected his other passions. He was a dedicated recorder of baptisms and events at North United Methodist Church for over forty years, and nourished a lifelong love of gardening. His roses, grown for Esther, were among his favorite subjects. He also took many photographs of his beloved Esther, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. David was dedicated to his family, and greatly enjoyed visits with his great-grandchildren.

David C. Hyde is survived by his children, Alan D. Hyde (Joy) and Sylvia J. Hyde, both of Indianapolis, and Mary Hyde Hood (Stephen), of Plain City, Ohio. He was the beloved grandfather of nine grandchildren-Esther M. Friend (Keith), Charles A. Hyde (Samantha), and Elizabeth M. Hyde, all of Indianapolis, Kathryn E. Warrener of Warsaw, Indiana, James N. Warrener (Jennifer), of LaGrange, Indiana, Emily J. Gough (Michael) of Warsaw, Indiana, James M. Hood (MaryElise) of McAllen, Texas, and Andrew S. Hood, of Plain City, Ohio. Grandchild Sarah G. Warrener predeceased him. There are nine great-grandchildren.

David's parents were founding members of North United Methodist Church, and he faithfully attended and generously supported North Church and its missions all his life. A devoted gardener, he carefully cultivated & nurtured plants and trees at North Church and at home. Dave, who played the French horn in Broad Ripple's band and Purdue's orchestra, consistently attended performances of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra from their inception in 1930 until a few weeks before his death, and was recognized and commended to the audience at an ISO performance by maestro Raymond Leppard as an example for all music lovers to emulate.

David grew up camping with his parents and grandparents, and continued the tradition with his wife, children, and dogs. He loved the southwest particularly, but enjoyed ranger programs at any National Park, Forest, or Refuge. Muskegon, Michigan, was another favorite destination. In later years, David & Esther attended many Elder hostels, and traveled abroad to England, Scotland, and Spain. David took Esther to Prince Edward Island and to the Boston Red Sox Spring Training camp. He loved meeting new people, eating local food, and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Never happier than when he was sailing, David helped his son Alan build a wooden Snipe, which he & Alan sailed for many years. David was among the founders of the Eagle Creek Sailing Club, and with his daughters Sylvia & Mary as crew trailered his Hobie Cat 16 all over the United States, racing against legendary sailors including Hobie Cat designer Hobie Alter and winning many trophies. David was a long-time senior member of the Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron, for which he taught many boating-safety classes.

Both his parents predeceased David, as did his siblings, Phyllis Althea Montgomery of Seattle, Washington, and Jerome Harold Hyde of Indianapolis. David died peacefully at his home at 6:00 AM Thursday, May 5th. Thoughtful & extremely inquisitive, always working conscientiously to discern and do the right things, he was a good, generous & loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather & friend, and will be much missed by those who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at North United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 28, at 3:00 P.M., with calling beginning at 1:00 P.M. in the Parlor. Memorial gifts may be made to the Indiana Friend Fund at Exodus Refugee Immigration, a fund created in 2016 to welcome refugees to Indiana.