James Stewart Hyde

James Stewart Hyde, 90, of Dousman, Wisconsin, passed away at his home on August 13, 2022, after a brief illness. Jim was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1932 to Melvin and Claudia Hyde. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, and received a BS in physics in 1954 and a PhD in solid-state physics in 1959 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was set up on a blind date with Karen Anderson of Exeter, California, in the summer of 1959. Within four months, they were married; they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary last December. Jim was a scientist for Varian Associates in his early years and later a research professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). He was also the Director of the National Biomedical EPR Center at MCW. He was the author of more than 400 peer-reviewed papers and review articles and holds 35 U.S. Patents. He made many advances in the field of magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI), functional MRI, and resting state functional connectivity MRI. One of his biggest legacies, however, are the students and colleagues he has influenced over the years. He was an important mentor and catalyst for new research and new ideas. He kept working at the Medical College long after he could have retired; he knew he still had valuable contributions to make. Jim’s interests over the years are probably too many and varied to enumerate. He was an avid backpacker, skier, and fisherman when his children were young, and they have many vivid memories of those days. Jim was an active 4-H leader for many years in his childrens’ club, teaching some of the skills he had learned in his life. He and Karen became skilled gardeners and home maintenance experts. He was very involved at their church, St. Mary’s in Dousman, helping with fundraising and vision for two building projects. Jim had long been an art enthusiast and collector. In the 1990’s, he became increasingly interested in Wisconsin art. In recent years, he was on the board of directors of the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend, Wisconsin. He was instrumental in developing some of their collections, especially in the area of art glass. He valued his relationships with the curators and artists that he had met across the state. He is survived by his wife, Karen Hyde; children, David Hyde (Laurel), Sarah Hyde (Ernie Tucker), and Elizabeth Elrod (Matt); grandchildren, Douglas Hyde (Elizabeth), Gregory Hyde (Emily Eastlake), Claire Tucker, Carl Tucker, Julia Elrod, and John Elrod; three great grandchildren, Katherine Hyde, Benjamin Hyde and Elliott Hyde; and his sister, Joanne Gravelle. Jim and all his family gathered for a week-long reunion in July, 2022, just weeks before he became ill. His family is so grateful for that time together. Funeral Services will be held at St Mary’s Episcopal Church, 36014 Sunset Drive (Hwys 67 & 18), Dousman, WI on Saturday, August 20 at 2:00PM. Reception to Follow.