Dr. Austin Taber Hyde, Jr., born in Boston, Massachusetts, died July10, 2009 in the care of Winyah Hospice in Myrtle Beach, SC. In 1955, Dr. Hyde came to the Norris-Biggs Clinic at Rutherford Hospital in Rutherfordton, NC, where he served until his retirement as an Associate in Internal Medicine. Dr. Hyde attended the University of Virginia where he earned a Masters Degree in biology and a Doctorate in Medicine. He served an internship at the University of Virginia and then became an assistant resident. He held teaching appointments at the University of Virginia and Duke University, where he became a Fellow of Pulmonary Diseases. He was a member of the Southeastern Allergy Society and a Fellow of the American College of Allergy. . Dr. Hyde served in the European and Pacific theatres in the Navy during World War II. During his professional career in Rutherford County, he participated in numerous programs in the areas of the arts and the humanities. He was one of the founders of the Performing Arts Guild, a forerunner of the Rutherford County Arts Council. He was active in projects of the Community College Players and the Isothermal Community College Fine Arts Committee; he also served two terms on the Board of the North Carolina Humanities Committee. His passionate interests in ecology and conservation were reflected in his work with the North Carolina Nature Conservancy, the Roan Mountain Conservancy and the Bald Head Island Conservancy. Because of his interest in folk music and folk legends, and because of his knowledge of world literature, he was often a guest teacher in many classes in Rutherford County Schools and Isothermal Community College. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Hyde, of Myrtle Beach, SC; son Nat Hyde, his wife Renee, and his daughter Elizabeth of Huntersville, NC; his son Russell and his wife Sarah, and son Taber, of Rutherfordton, NC; and nephew Allen Hyde of Jonas Ridge, NC. In keeping with Dr Hyde’s wishes there will be no formal service and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a Hospice, a Conservancy, or an Arts program of your choice.