The late Richard (Dick) and Patricia Hyde, of Morley, Mich., have been honored by the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation (MDMSF) at Michigan State University (MSU) for their years of dedication and devotion to their family and involvement in the dairy industry. Jim passed away in 2014 at the age of 68; Patricia survives him.
Richard Hyde was born in Ionia, Mich., and graduated from Morley-Stanwood High School in 1964. After graduation, he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Dairy Science from Michigan State University (MSU). In 1969, he was drafted by the United States Marines Corp., and served in the artillery division during the Vietnam War. After the war, he Richard returned to the family farm.
Patricia Hyde was born in Fowlerville, the daughter of George and Jean Robb. She graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1973.
Both Richard and Patricia were raised on dairy farms and active 4-H members growing up. The couple's romance started at the Rustic Herd Dispersal in 1973; they married in 1975. Over the course of the Hyde's 39-year union, they had three children, Shaun (Betty Jo), Michelle (Jim) Neff, and Katie (Jeff) Pierson, and established a registered Holstein and Jersey farm in Morley, Mich.
Passionate about agriculture, Richard Hyde was involved in many organizations, including the Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Maple Syrup Association, and the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). He was a former president of the Michigan Holstein Association, represented Michigan as a state delegate for Holstein Association U.S.A. at its annual membership meeting, and served as a leader for the Winfield Hustlers 4-H Club for more than 25 years.
Patricia Hyde served on the Montcalm County Farm Bureau board of directors, was an MMPA dairy communicator for 20 years, and as a dairy diplomat, helped organize the Little Red Barn at the Montcalm County 4-H Fair for 30 years. She also served as a leader for the Winfield Hustlers 4-H Club for more than 25 years. Patricia was the Winfield Township Clerk for eight years and worked as a paraprofessional for Morley-Stanwood Schools for 20 years.
In 1980, the Hyde's were awarded the District 5 Outstanding Young Dairy Couple by MMPA. Over the years, they have enjoyed watching their children grow up in 4-H and show Holsteins and Jerseys at the county and state levels. The family's Moram Holsteins and Rustic Jerseys herd, which dispersed in June 2016, performed well at the state level, including winning at the Great Lakes State Holstein Futurity.
All three of the Hyde children graduated from MSU, were recipients of the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation (MDMSF) scholarship, and are currently involved in the state's agriculture industry.
Recognizing a dairy industry leader for their service and contributions through the MDMSF requires a gift of $1,000 to the MDMSF, an 8 X 10 photo and a one-page biography about the honoree. Honorees (or family members when an award is presented posthumously) are personally recognized by the Foundation at an industry or MDMSF event. The names of honorees are inscribed on a plaque on display in Anthony Hall at MSU, their biography and photograph are kept in permanent records in the MSU Department of Animal Science, and photographs of honorees are displayed at the MSU Pavilion.
Honoring individuals through the MDMSF recognizes individuals for their accomplishments in the dairy industry and invests in and provides support to future dairy industry leaders. As the MDMSF endowment grows, additional scholarships can be awarded to students to help offset the increasing cost of higher education, enabling them to achieve their dreams for the future. More than 180 individuals have been named MDMSF Honorees since the foundation's establishment over 50 years ago.
To learn more about recognizing a dairy industry leader through the MDMSF, contact any MDMSF board member or Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen at 517-432-5443 or msw@msu.edu. For information on supporting student scholarships, please contact the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources External Relations at 517-355-0284.
7.05.2016
