Charles Gilman Hyde 1874-1971
Charles Gilman Hyde, Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering: Berkeley
1874-1971
Professor of Sanitary Engineering, Emeritus
Charles Gilman Hyde was born on May 7, 1874 in Yantic, Town of Norwich, Connecticut, the son of George Rodney and Kate Rhode (Dickey) Hyde. He attended Norwich Academy and was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a B.S. degree in sanitary engineering in 1896.
Charles Hyde married Margherita Isola on May 21, 1901 in Newton, Massachusetts, and this union was blessed with three charming daughters.
The first four years of Professor Hyde's professional career were spent as an assistant engineer with the Massachusetts State Board of Health. He then journeyed to Pennsylvania where he worked on major water supply projects for the cities of Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
Charles joined the faculty at the University of California in 1905 where he served continuously, except for service as a major in the Sanitary Corps, U.S. Army (1918-19), until he became emeritus in 1944. Following his retirement he remained extremely active as a consulting engineer and he engaged in major water projects the world over. His active productive life continued until only a few years prior to his death on 21 September, 1971 at the age of 97.
Professor Hyde was an extremely productive educator, scholar, consulting engineer, and statesman whose talents and counsel were sought from all segments of society. He was an inspiring teacher whose interests in students, and their personal and professional welfare was truly distinguished. In addition to serving two years as dean of men (1926-28), his professional contributions were so numerous, original, and distinguished he became widely known as the "Dean of Sanitary Engineering of the West." His social and humanitarian interests were extensive, and he found time to serve for over twenty years on executive councils of the Boy Scouts of America, Berkeley YMCA, the Red Cross, and he was a long time active member of the Bohemian Club. He was also an active member of the First Congregational Church of Berkeley.
Professor Hyde's professional contributions have been outstanding in both number and quality. His noteworthy accomplishments include the establishment of the first sanitary engineering educational program in the West, and his active leadership played a major role in the formation of a pioneering Bureau of Sanitary Engineering in the State Department of Public Health. Interestingly, this important Bureau has been headed exclusively even to date by his former students. Professor Hyde, a pioneering "environmentalist" decades before the term became commonplace, had the foresight to attract one of the young distinguished physical chemists from the East, Professor Wilfred F. Langelier, to join him in 1916 to form a team that pioneered a science-based, practice-oriented academic sanitary engineering program in the Department of Civil Engineering which became world renowned for its quality and relevance. Their leadership led to the University of California's position of Number 1 in both quality and total degree (bachelor's, master's, and doctor's) holders, a position that it occupies currently.
As an active consulting engineer, Professor Hyde played a major role in shaping many of the state's major water projects. He was responsible for the original water supply source selection and the design of the first Sacramento water treatment plant, which was an original and advanced contribution to technology.. He served on many boards of consultants which helped to set the pattern of environmental engineering practice as well as make an important contribution to California's health and ecology. Some of the notable projects include the comprehensive plans for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater from the East Bay cities (now EBMUD), San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, the counties of Santa Clara and Orange, the cities of Auckland, New Zealand, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Charley Hyde was truly a student's professor. His graduates, affectionately called "His Boys," shared his home and family and gained a keen insight into his high level of personal and professional dedication and principles.
Professor Hyde served in leadership roles in about every engineering and technical society and organization in his field. He was conveyed the distinction of Honorary Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1951, the first University of California faculty member so honored.
His colleagues in the department stated well a tribute to Charley Hyde upon his retirement, which read in part as follows: Inspiring teacher, renowned engineer, diligent seeker of truth, lofty of ideals, a great humanitarian loved by all, for nearly four decades, through teaching and practice you have served the University, the people of the State, and the profession with distinction and untiring devotion.
A fitting summary of Professor Hyde's life was made by President Robert Gordon Sproul upon the conferring of an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1944 when he summed up as follows: "The West is a fairer, sweeter land because of his concentrated work on its water."
Professor Hyde was preceded in death by his gracious and charming wife Margherita in 1951. He is survived by three daughters, Margherita H. Dunn and Helen H. Gibbs of Berkeley, Katherine H. Williams of Tiburon; a granddaughter, Jane Dunn Turner of Belgium, and five great-grandchildren.
All who knew Professor Hyde, colleagues and students alike have shared one of life's richest personal experiences that truly appreciates with time.
Erman A. Pearson
J. W. Johnson
Warren J. Kaufman