Walter Lewis Hyde (1919–2003) was an American physicist, an early contributor to the field of fiber optics.
He held patents for devices used in ophthalmology, as well as a panoramic rear-view mirror for automobiles.
He worked at the Polaroid Corporation in the nascent field of fiber optics.
He then changed gears to administration, and served as provost of New York University until 1972.
He served as president of the Optical Society of America in 1970 [1] He married Elizabeth Sanford, who became the president of Woodstock Academy's Board of Trustees and helped lead the school's renovation and building project in the early 1990s.