Barbara Abbott Hyde
Barbara Abbott Hyde
Barbara Abbott Hyde died at her home in Rochester, Minn., Saturday, Dec 10. She was a resident of Charter House, a retirement community.
Barbara was born to Roscoe C. and Hazel G. Abbott on Dec. 16, 1914, in Wood River. She grew up in Lincoln where her father was a professor of chemistry at the University. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1936 with a BA in Architecture.
Barbara was a medalic sculptor whose interests spread to all ramifications of the profession. She has been the editor of numerous numismatic publications, including Cal Coin News and Numismatic Digest. She has been the recipient of numerous honors, including being the first to receive The President’s Award of Merit from the University of Nebraska, The Medal of Merit from the California State Numismatic Association, and The Best Regional Publication Award from the American Numismatic Association. She was also appointed chairperson of the United States Assay Commission and has earned a number of Best in Show and first place awards in medalic art exhibits.
In 1936 she married Paul W. Rader and is the mother of two children, Bruce A. Rader and N. Lee Rader. She worked with her husband in the practice of architecture for a number of years before becoming immersed in numismatics. She founded a monthly coin magazine, The Western Coin Collector in 1964, merging it with the Numismatic Digest in 1965. Divorced, she subsequently married Richard Hyde in 1967. After moving to California she molded the Cal Coin News into an award winning regional publication.
Among the organizations in which she was prominent are: The National League of American Penwomen, from which she received the Woman of the Year Award in 1987; The Token and Medal Society, of which she was a national director and which awarded her The Distinguished Service Medal in 1986; The Old Time Assay Commissioners Society for which she was Chief Engraver; The DAR and the Order of Easter Star.
Through the 70's and 80's she crafted medallions for numerous clients, her favorite piece being an award medal and sculpture for the Los Angeles Open gold tournament on its 50th anniversary in 1976. A replica of the sculpture continues to be a coveted trophy on the golfing circuit. Although crippled by a sacral tumor in 1979, she continued to work in the field until moving to Charter House in 1987.
She is survived by her two sons, Bruce and Lee, and by her brother, Albert Abbott.
The loss of Barbara Hyde will be felt in Wood River, but her work and personal philosophy will remain in hearts and memories.
In 1985 she and her brother, Dr. Albert Abbott, created a memorial to their parents, Roscoe and Hazel G., and aunt, Sabra Abbott, through the Wood River Community Centennial Foundation, Inc. It is an endowed fund whose income benefits the Maltman memorial Library.
This act continues the Abbott tradition of service and giving to their community. Ward Maltman, cousin of the Abbotts, bequeathed funds which built the Maltman Memorial Library building. Miss Sabra Abbott, aunt of Barbara and Albert, was a revered teacher, principal and public librarian for many years in our community, including the depressed 1930's when she used her personal funds to assist the (then) Wood River Public Library.
Land donated by Jack and Lona Shafer for a groundwater education and visitor center was formerly a land parcel owned by the Weldon family, great-grandparents of Barbara, Albert, Sabra and Ward.