Joseph Hyde Pratt

Captain Joseph Hyde Pratt III, 70, passed away peacefully early in the morning on July 20th just two weeks after his birthday, at his home in Nottingham, New Hampshire. In the last weeks of his life, he was surrounded by loved ones. One of the last things he said was, “I know how lucky I am.”

He was born on July 7, 1955, in Rochester, Minnesota, the son of Dr. Joseph Pratt and Hazel Hausman Pratt. The friends he shared childhood with called him Joey. He mostly went by Joe, but throughout his life, he bore several monikers.

Joe was the husband of Lori Pratt. They were married on September 12, 1980, in Jacksonville, Florida. Their love story began while Joe was serving as a Navy pilot, Lori liked to say it was “lust at first sight,” and that he was irresistible in uniform. Together, they built a life across cities and continents, eventually settling in New Hampshire to raise their family.

A graduate of Ripon College, Joe went on to flight school and served as a Navy pilot, flying P-3s and working with the Dutch Navy. After his military service, he became a commercial airline pilot with Delta Airlines, where he worked for over three decades. Known to many as “Captain Joe,” he made a lasting impression on colleagues and passengers alike.

Joe was a man of extraordinary physical talent, relentless curiosity, and a deeply rooted moral compass. An Eagle Scout and competitive athlete in his youth, he pursued adventure throughout his life, skiing, marathon running, mountaineering, barefoot waterskiing, kite surfing, ice climbing, and more. Any of his many activities captured in photos showed him with a wide grin and a glint of mischief. He climbed Denali, the tallest mountain in the United States, and went on to touch the top of the world when he summited Mount Everest.

He had a knack for anything he put his mind to, fixing what was broken, transforming his home landscape into an oasis, or picking up new hobbies with enviable skill. This came across in his ability to make anything feel possible. He taught countless people how to swim, dive, and waterski. At the summer camp his daughter ran, the children affectionately called him “Captain Tyin’ Knots.” He showed them how to build fires, set up tents, dress wounds, and of course, tie knots.

Joe was a devoted Rotarian for over 30 years, serving as president of his local club for part of that time and as District Governor. He was drawn to the service, community, and integrity that Rotary embodied.

His commitment to his family and his willingness to grow through them was perhaps his most remarkable quality. In his later years, he found unexpected joy in an artistic community in Nice, France, forming deep friendships with people who, while very different from him, were no less charmed and amazed by his incredible feats and his playful nature. As he softened with time, he embraced the beauty of music, the wonder of solstice nights, and the creative spirit of his children.

In recent years, Joe and Lori began spending winters in Bradenton, Florida, where they built yet another vibrant community. Joe could often be found leading sunset excursions on the boat, organizing taco parties with live music, and bringing people together through celebration, storytelling, and joy. True to form, he left a lasting impression, not just through his accomplishments, but through the way he made people feel.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lori; his daughter, Katrina and her husband Bryce; his son Joey and his wife Jen; his sisters Judy and Lisa and their spouses; many loving nieces and nephews; and his grandchildren, Linden, Nika, and Kieran, who called him “Bo.”

A celebration of life will be held on September 13th, 2025 at the family’s home in Nottingham, New Hampshire from 2-4pm. Friends and family will gather to scatter his ashes, share stories, laugh, cry, and honor the incredible man he was.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make memorial contributions to Rotary International.