Hy was born on February 15, 1950 in Harlem, NY, and died on May 29, 2020, in Germany. He was a veteran of the US Army. He is survived by his wife and two children. 

On May 29, 2020, his wife posted the following on Facebook:

To all family, friends and colleagues of my dear husband: This is to let you know that Hiram, my wonderful husband of 35 years, loving father and grandfather, passed away this morning and embarked on a new adventure. 

He served his country with great pride for 40 years, always there for our family, and never failed to say how much he loved us and his life in Bavaria for the last 30 years.