Betty Hiebert

The Clyde and Betty Hiebert Scholarship for Science was established by Clyde’s wife Betty and their children in memory of Clyde. Clyde and Betty attended Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State University) where he proposed to her in Memorial Hall. Clyde graduated in 1951. He went on to receive a Masters degree from Northern Iowa University in 1959. In 1965, they moved to El Dorado to accept a teaching position at Butler Community College. He taught chemistry there for 32 years retiring in 1998 with a total of 47 years as an educator. As an educator, Clyde is remembered for his ability to simplify complex concepts and to coach science phobic students to success. He has had a tremendous and lasting impact on the hundreds and hundreds of students he taught. He retired after teaching the grandchild of a former student. He developed a ?Suitcase Chemistry? course that used lab kits that fit into travel coolers for use in remote classrooms without chemistry labs. He presented this course at several national conferences. His dedication to family was demonstrated by teaching overload night and summer classes to provide his four children with weekends of water skiing and college educations. As a husband, he always put Betty first. He could fix anything from cars to plumbing the bathroom; he could build anything including covered wagons, doll furniture, go-carts and several additions onto the house. He instilled within each of his children and grandchildren a sense of self worth that allowed them to achieve their own individual dreams without hesitation and because of this each of them works in their own field of service. Clyde believed in a life of faith that was demonstrated through service to Trinity Episcopal Church, serving for decades as the church treasurer, on the Vestry, as a chalice bearer, and an usher. He was also treasurer of Chelsea Township and president of the El Dorado Loin Club.