Robert Yerdon Lyon July 23, 1925 – February 19, 2014

Robert, "Bob", Lyon was born on July 23, 1925 in Proctor, Vermont. He was the oldest of two children born to Radcliffe W and Cynthia Billings Lyon. He passed away on February 19, 2014 in Richland, WA. He grew up in Rutland, Vermont, Ontario Canada and Schenectady, NY. He graduated from Peterborough Collegiate and vocational school in Peterborough, Ontario. He joined the army in 1944 and served 27 months in the US and Europe. During the time in Europe, he was an x-ray tech with the 230th general hospital in Soissons, France and with the 9th evac hospital in Charleroi, Belgium. When not serving as an x-ray tech, he volunteered for the motor pool, which allowed him to visit Paris and several other places in France and Belgium. He was discharged as technician 4th grade in May 1946.

Upon returning to the US, he found his family had moved to Texas, so he attended 1 yr. of college at North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington, then 3 yrs. at Texas A&M Gig 'Em Aggies!, where he graduated with the class of 1950 with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He was recruited to work at the Hanford project and started on 8-15-50 with GE. Over the years he worked for Isochem, ARCO, Rockwell and Westinghouse, which he retired from in March 1989.

He met Harriet Cave in the young adults group at First Methodist Church in Dallas while home from college. They dated until he left for Richland. He proposed in a letter soon after. He had to wait a year to have vacation time, but when he did, he went to Dallas and they were married, approximately 50 feet from where they had met. Their honeymoon was driving back to Richland, where they have lived ever since.

Outside of work, Bob was involved in the Mid-Columbia Science Fair for 40+ years, Washington Society of Professional Engineers, Mathcounts – 20+ years, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Tri-City Genealogical Society and Texas A&M association of former students. He and Mom were voted lifetime membership in the local A&M club. He also helped at the Allied Arts show for several years. Dad also enjoyed bowling, delivering Meals on Wheels, genealogy, watching sports soccer, softball, baseball, and hockey and spending time with his granddaughter. He LOVED watching Jordan, his only grandchild, play soccer and basketball and rarely missed a soccer game, in or out of town!

He and Harriet did some traveling after retirement and went to British Columbia, Oregon, Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii and Ontario. In the summer of 2004, he took Tracey and Jordan on a 2 week trip back East to show them where he had grown up. In 2010, we took a trip down the Oregon coast, the highlight of which was Dad going on a dune buggy ride!

He had a close relationship with his only child, Tracey, but an even closer one with his only grandchild, Jordan. She was the light of his life and he was so proud of her. From building Lego creations when she was little, to working at the Allied Arts show as "runners", to just sitting and talking – they were quite a pair.

Bob is survived by: his daughter, Tracey Lyon Burrowes of West Richland, his granddaughter, Jordan Burrowes of West Richland, his sister, Helen Pringle of Austin, TX and 5 nieces in Texas and New Mexico.

His wife, Harriet, preceded him in death in 2006 after 55 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

We would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff of Richland Rehabilitation for taking such good care of him off and on for the last 7 years, but especially the past year.

Dad – I don't know what I'll do without you. I know you love us and will be keeping an eye on us from above. Love you lots!!

Grandpa – You meant the world to me and life won't be the same without you. Hope you're having a kick ass time in Heaven with grandma! I love you so much.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 1:00pm at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland, WA. A graveside service will be take place after the funeral at Sunset Memorial Gardens.