Simeon was born on February 25, 1919 in Charleston, SC, surrounded by many “kissin’ cousins” and a town not yet taken over by Northerners. When he was twelve, his family moved to Rye, NY and it was there that Simeon developed his abiding love of the sea.
As a naval officer in World War II, his ship, the aircraft carrier Wasp, was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific. Fortunately, Simeon was only in the water a few hours but was ordered to the U.S. for three weeks of rest and relaxation. Losing no time he returned and married Ann, thus beginning a 69-year marriage.
When the war ended in 1945, Simeon debated whether to enter architectural school or the Harvard Masters program in English. Deciding on the latter he finished his degree and went on to a 23-year career at Phillips Academy in Andover as a teacher, administrator, and Acting Headmaster. While working there, Simeon spent summers building a family summer home on Martha’s Vineyard and sailing.
In 1973 Simeon left Andover to pursue his earlier interest in architecture, completing a degree in architecture at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. As an architect Simeon designed several small office buildings, a Navajo Community Center, and an Albuquerque Senior Center. In 1988 the Hydes moved to San Diego, CA, to join family members there. Buying a small sailboat, he and Ann enjoyed sailing once again. He also revived an old interest in painting. It was in San Diego, after due thought and deliberation, that they decided to join the Quakers and became members of the La Jolla Friends Meeting.
In 1993 family members moved to Portland and Simeon and Ann soon followed. An avid watercolorist, Simeon joined the Watercolor Society of Oregon and just last February (2011) he and two artist friends exhibited their show, “Three Over Eighty” at Artspace in Portland. Never content without a boat, he bought a 27- foot sailboat and joined the Rose City Yacht Club.
Simeon and Ann joined the Multnomah Friends Meeting in 1993. Simeon quickly became a mainstay of the community. He was a clerk of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee, faithful at business meeting, and a welcome voice in meeting for worship. Drawing on his architectural training, he was a driving force in the remodeling effort in 2006-2007 that doubled the size of
Multnomah Meetinghouse, attending to both to conceptual design and details of finish. Always willing to assist the life of his spiritual community, he also clerked the Worship and Ministry Committee for 2010-11.
Simeon died December 26, 2011, survived by his wife Ann, three children, and their spouses: Elizabeth and Ted Washburn, Simeon Hyde III, Cutty and Diane Hyde; three grandchildren: Sally Washburn, Julia and Benjamin Hyde; and a sister, Anne Hyde Long of Portsmouth, VA.