Robert E. Hyde, son of Edward L. and Blodwyn J. Hyde, passed away on June 12, 2018 at his home in Emporia.  Robert was born September 20, 1940 in Emporia, Kansas and grew up on the Marais Des Cygnes River north of Reading.  He graduated from Reading High School in 1958 and Kansas State Teachers College in 1964, with a BS in Business and Economics.  He was a graduate from The School of Banking, University of Wisconsin in 1981.  Robert also was a graduate of the Reisch School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa in 1959.  Robert met Linda Joyce Hannebaum from Salina, Kansas while they were pursuing their degrees from Kansas State Teachers College.  They were married in Salina on June 14, 1964.

A long time 4-H member of the Reading 4-H Club, he showed cattle at numerous shows across the state and was chosen State Beef Champion of Kansas in 1959.  Robert was very active in community service and church work serving as Chamber of Commerce President on numerous occasions.  He served as an officer in many organizations, including president of the Lions Club.  In addition, Robert served on a number of committees and boards in the United Methodist Church including Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, and many years on the board of the Burlington United Methodist Church Foundation.  He thoroughly enjoyed singing, whether as part of a choir or performing solos.  He was a faithful participant in a number of choirs around the state, including member of the Kansas State Teachers College Men's Chorale in 1963-64. Robert was chairman of the Coffey County Housing Authority for many years and served on the Coffey County Fair Board.  Robert served six years with the United States Army and the Kansas National Guard from 1966 to 1972.

Robert spent 46 years working in the banking industry and was well known as an authority in commercial and agricultural lending across the state.  He was a member of and served on the Board of the Kansas Association of Agricultural Representatives and also taught classes in Kansas Banker schools on real estate lending.  Robert had a great deal of knowledge in regard to business management and the cattle business. Much of that knowledge was obtained from family before him.  He enjoyed helping cattlemen and commercial business owners across the state with their financial decisions.

His parents and a sister, Sylvia Lowder preceded him in death.  Surviving family members include his wife of nearly 54 years, his sister Bronwen Richards and husband Charles of Idaho, his sons Bryan of Emporia and Brett and wife Julie of Lee's Summit, MO; daughter Andrea and husband Michael Myers of Emporia; grandchildren Abigail, John and Natalie Hyde of Lee's Summit; and Juliette, Grant and Reese Myers of Emporia.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 17, 2018 between 6:30 – 8:00 P.M at First United Methodist Church in Emporia, Kansas.    Services will be held Monday, June 18, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at First United Methodist Church in Emporia, Kansas.  Graveside services will be held at Reading Cemetery, Reading Kansas immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, Emporia, Kansas or in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.