Richard E. Hyde

Richard E. Hyde (a.k.a Wizard), 71 of Palmyra Nebraska, lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease on May 28, 2024 at home, with his devoted wife by his side.

Richard was born in Sacramento, CA on November 26, 1952, to Kay (Marie Adams) and James Hyde.  He attended Rainier High school and graduated in 1970.  From there, Richard enlisted in the US Army, where he proudly served our country for 4 years.

Upon discharge, Richard entered the civilian life where he made a career of being a tool and die machinist.  His love of tinkering with machines and his love of helping others collided and he could always be found helping a friend with one project or another.

Richard was the type of man to always bring a smile to someone’s face and always willing to lend a hand.  He put on countless outdoor movie nights for the neighborhood to enjoy.  He spent hours at the roller rink; skating with his friends and his grandchildren.  He found joy volunteering as a Cub Scout Master and taking his family on camping trips.  He had a particular passion for motorcycles, one that could be rivaled by none. In 1981 he and a group of three friends started the tradition of camping out on Memorial Day weekend.  Each year the group grew and is now known as the Run For Fun; an annual camp out to support Narcotic’s Anonymous, gathering nearly a thousand people in fellowship and support each year.  Though this endeavor, Richard helped numerous people on their path to sobriety and that legacy will live on through the Run.

Though his selflessness, strength, and love, Richard left this world a much better place than he found it.  He will not only live on in his family and friends but the countless lives he touched and helped on his time here on Earth.  There are not enough words in the English language to adequately express how many lives he touched and the profound impact he had on those around him.  Anyone who had the honor to get to know Richard is all the better for the experience.  In his last days he was surrounded by swarms of people who loved him dearly.  The sheer number of people being a true testament to a life well lived.

He was preceded by his father, James Hyde and a sister Marie Hyde.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Beth, his three sons, Kendall Bliss, Nick (Steven) Bliss and Robert Hyde, his brothers Leslie and Dennis Hyde, his mother Kay (Marie) Butler, thirteen grandchildren: Ethan, Ashley, Logan, Andrew, Kaitlyn, Caleb, Michael, Kaleb, Nolyn, Lukas, Abigail, Elliot, and Lillian, and seven great-grandchildren.  His face was never so lit up as when he was around one of the children.  His life was further enhanced by countless friends, too many to mention, and family  that held a special place in Richard’s heart and are forever grateful for his contribution to our lives.

A Celebration of Life will be June 15 at Palmyra Park at 1:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Richard’s honor to Tabitha Hospice.  Help Richard live on by helping others the way he always did and continue to spread his light and love.

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