Lifetime Service Richard Hyde grew up in Waukegan, Illinois where he attended Waukegan High School. A standout competitor, Dick was multiple-sport athlete throughout his high school years of 1942-1946. Having participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for two years while in high school, it was the natural progression for Dick to enter the Air Force upon his high school graduation. For two of the next three years Dick honorably served his nation as a tail gunner on a B-29 while stationed in Guam. In 1949 Dick received his Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Air Force. However, Dick remained involved with the military as an Air Force Fighter pilot while rising to the rank of Colonel. In 1977 Dick officially retired from the service. Following his Honorable Discharge in 1949, Richard enrolled at Bradley University in Peoria where he pursued a teaching degree. Dick's collegiate athletic career was very impressive for he resides the Bradley Athletic Hall of Fame (Class of 2001) for his accomplishments as a football player, as a track participant and a wrestler. In 1953, Dick graduated from Bradley with his Bachelor's degree and his teacher certificate. Dick was hired to teach and coach at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Illinois. He was assigned to coach both football and basketball. In his second year with the school, Dick was asked to create a wrestling program "” which he did. For the next five seasons Dick Hyde served as the Head Coach of the infant program during which time he managed but one losing season. In 1959 Dick returned to his alma mater, Waukegan where he coached football, baseball, diving and, of course, wrestling. At Waukegan he assisted the legendary Ott Bay in the wrestling program. In 1966, the Bulldogs won their fourth Wrestling State Championship with Dick Hyde on the staff. Dick was also the Assistant Baseball Coach on the Bulldog Baseball State Championship Team in 1971. When Waukegan split into two campuses in 1974, Dick Hyde was appointed the Athletic Director at his old school. In 1990, when the split campuses were eliminated, Dick was retained as the Athletic Director for the combined campuses. He served in this position until he retired in July 1994. All together, Dick worked in the education field for over forty successful years. For his achievements as Waukegan's Athletic Director Dick was twice honored in 1991; he was named Illinois' Outstanding Athletic Director and he was inducted into the Illinois High School Athletic Director's Hall of Fame. In 1966 Dick managed to secure a spot as a member of the Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners "” his initial exposure to the political realm. He served as Board President in 1968 and again in 1971. When an aldermanic position became vacant in 1985, the mayor appointed Dick to finish out the remaining time of the term. Dick went on to be re-elected in 1987, 1991, 1995 and 1999. Early in 2002, the Waukegan Mayoral position became vacant and the City Council unanimously selected Dick to fulfill the remaining days of the term. Again, Dick was re-elected to the position in 2003, 2005 and 2007. As mayor, Dick helped lead the way for numerous improvements for the community. Among those are: the formation of a master plan for the development of lakefront property and the downtown area; initiated the renovation of existing property into Fountain Square "” a highly successful mall area; the construction of the award-winning City Hall; the restoration of the Genesee Theatre. For Waukegan's efforts under Dick leadership the city was awarded the prestigious Burham Award from the city of Chicago.