There is a well-known phrase “anyone can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.” In everything Dad did, family was first and foremost. He loved to teach people new things, and teaching his kids and grandkids was a passion, be it how to work with horses, work cows, run a shovel, lift weights, skiing technique, how to throw your weight around a snowmobile riding in fresh powder, explore Yellowstone, you name it and he almost always seemed to know a lot about it and loved to share. He seemed larger than life in his knowledge and know-how and experience base. He definitely believed in the principal, and effectively taught, if you’re going to do something do it well and to the best of your ability.

He also loved to not only have a good time, but to host a good time. Family holidays, family get-togethers, or social gatherings of any kind, you could always bet on, and count on, Lyle (and wife Kathy) to go too far. Meaning not one cooler of sodas, but six coolers of every type of soda, tea and lemonade, and more coolers with all various brands of beer anyone might want. Not just a few burgers and a bag of chips. Many bags of chips, and crackers, and tortilla chips and dips, and hamburgers and hot dogs and sausages and chicken and jellos and multiple types of potato, macaroni, whip cream-based salads and beans and watermelons and fruits and vegetables, and, and, and. Enough for an army, and for more than one day. The list isn’t even started yet with deserts and treats and everything else. But the most important, and really only important fact is that everyone had a great time with Lyle and Kathy. They may not know why consciously, but Dad did. And it was important to him, and important to be ‘that guy’. The guy both in the scene, but also behind the scene making sure plans were ‘to the nines’, that there was more than enough and no one would be in want, or ever have to go short or without. He was happy in the background a lot of the time while he did the cooking and sipped a cold beer with his sweat band on having a good time over the hot BBQ grill cooking things to order and to everyone’s specs and satisfaction, while most often jamming to good music. He loved to be the guy working hard to make sure everyone had not just a good time, but a great time.

He had a unique, rich, and devilish sense of humor. It’s ‘in the genes’ as his father and uncles were that way as well. And we must admit a fair amount passed on to us. He loved to “tease” the people he liked and loved the most, however there was really no safe hiding space. You were as likely as not to be on the receiving end of his teasing the first time you met him. He loved the alias ‘Albert Fozzbinder’, often introducing himself as such just to see people’s reactions. Most the time they were slightly caught off guard with such an unusual name, and as they began to reply back to him “Hello Albert Fozzbin…”, Dad’s body language and ear to ear beaming grin readily gave up the gig, and both would chuckle into a warm and humorous handshake or exchange that set the tone just how dad liked. Nice and light and here to have a good time. Anybody who remembers this about Lyle will also recall the booming belly laugh he would make that usually erupted sometime through the exchange. Additionally, he also loved to trade barbs, receiving the good fun as good as he gave.

Lyle was a man, a father, a husband who loved unconditionally. It was always wonderful to know that and to feel that. He never judged on any superficial characteristics. Character was what he valued. And if we ever made a mistake or misdeed, the action was always separate from the person. He may chide the misdeed or the mistake, but he never chided the individual. And each day ended forgiven and forgotten. A son-in-law made the following observation of Lyle he thought was quite revealing. That he was a very understanding and compassionate person. And that he truly valued all life and did everything possible to preserve and protect it, be it a human or new born animal. He knew this because he had seen Lyle in action with the animals he so dearly loved. He knew this because it takes a truly understanding and compassionate person to allow him to take the hand of his only daughter and his first-born grandson, who were previously never more than a few minutes away from him, and transplant them 1,500 miles away.

Lyle really enjoyed kids. He loved, and was good at, getting kids wound up laughing and giggling and yelling out with glee as he would startle them with a ‘I’m gonna getcha’ stance with his hands raised and fingers wiggling and a booming devilish laugh to match, and then give chase peeking their laughter mixed with adrenaline rushes and thrills. They were so excited, they could hardly move, and then were so tickled with themselves when they somehow just barely got away. It was two kids playing…one small one and one really big one and somehow, they behaved more as peers than adult and child. Another ‘Lyle classic’ was picking up a child and holding them like a rock guitar, strumming their belly making them laugh, while he stayed in character as a rock singer strutting and peacocking and crooning from the ‘living room stage’ to the imaginary audience. Another was kids hopping on his back while he played rodeo bronco on his hands and knees as he ‘bucked and whirled around’. Startling the dickens out of a child when Lyle, with precise and sudden timing, would move a leg suddenly with a mock kick out and belt out like a startled angry cow with a loud ‘moo’ as the child touched his hip with a potato masher ‘branding iron’. And when the inevitable ‘buck-off’ occurred, he would ease the child down and pretend to shove them around with his head like a wild bull and ‘stomp them’ with tickles. And the stories could go on and on.

The grandkids all agree that no one could be as lucky to have a Grandpa like Lyle. From his endless love for his family, to the countless life lessons he was able to pass on to those around him. He truly left a mark on them that will never be forgotten. He always took care of others and put them first no matter how it would affect him and gave unwavering love for the people he cared about. One of the many simple things he loved and was always ready to do, was to gather around a little campfire with a couple of hot dogs and sit down and chat a while. Grandpa stayed strong through the hurdle’s life threw at him and he gave us the gift to live and carry on the legacy of a place we get to call home. Thank You Grandpa.

Lyle/Dad/Grandpa was an incredible person. He had strong character and strong values. He was tough and tender, he loved life and lived it hard. To list everything he did, all the experiences he had, all the places he had been and things he had done, no one would actually believe it. About halfway in, it would begin to sound as though tall tales were being told. But we know better. Because where he led, we followed (or were sometimes lovingly pushed). And thank God for it, our lives have been made so rich from the example he set and the trail he blazed. And besides the stories, he was proud of the physical 'nicks' he had here, and the scars he had there, to serve as a road map of 'mementos' to help tell the story of a life fully lived.

He practiced what he preached...honesty, integrity, keep your word and say what you mean and do what you say. He was, what might nowadays, be considered 'old school'. If, and when, he gave his word, he kept it...period. As an example, his parents entrusted him to honor their Last Will and Testament. And from the time of their passing in 1988 until his passing on Easter Sunday 2019, he held like an absolute rock abiding by their wishes. He honored his word and never faded even for a minute...even though he suffered greatly personally for it at the hands of some. We have yet to meet his peer...not even close.

He loved God and the world He created. He loved his family, his kids, and his grandkids. He could not have been prouder of them, or more thankful for them. He loved all life, especially new life from wildlife to puppies to calves and baby pigs and horses, and on and on he loved them all. He especially loved the new life of human babies and young children.

He loved a good story. He was never in a hurry, and hoped you weren't either (unless he didn't like you). He always had more to visit and share, and more he wanted to hear...eagerly awaiting you to respond in kind. To him, there was always more time to visit.

He loved America, and the Flag, and all the brave Military people and Veterans throughout American history...those who created the country originally, and all those who have defended Her from the past through to the present. He loved freedom and independence and every single founding aspect that has made America the best country in the world. And he certainly knew our freedom wasn't, and isn't, free.

He loved life, and he taught us well. We are so thankful God blessed us with him. We will miss him more than words can say, but are extremely thankful for all the valuable teachings, experiences, and memories he gave us. Enough for several lifetimes.

If you're reading this, these are some of the things he might say...work hard, but play hard, love and cherish your family and your friends, be serious but never too serious, trust in God, he'll meet you in the middle (even though it might not always be clear). And most of all...live life! THANK YOU, DAD, WE LOVE YOU!

Saddle up Cowboy! This was truly your life loving the times you rode Fox, or Chief, or Prince, and countless others, and driving the sleigh to view the elk with Deck and Doll, Captain and King, and countless others. You were a true cowboy. This anyone could tell. Your word was your bond. Not working for money, but working to make things better, and the love of the land, and the ranch and the mountains. Your cowboy boots walked many miles, now your life with us here in Long Valley is over. God has plans for you up in Heaven. He needs help training some new horses and needs a nutritionist's expertise for his cows on the 'back 80.' Your mom and dad, and all the generations you have so missed are waiting for you. It’s going to be a family reunion. Your dad’s anxious to have you by his side again, to be able to ride side by side again in Heaven...you know he's waiting.