DAVID M LYTH
I had hoped to see Bob when I was up there in June setting up the scholarship honoring my wife, Joyce Caylor Lyth (1972). She passed away this spring.
I got my start teaching through Bob. I was his paper grader during the 1972-3 school year. The Dean passed away during Thanksgiving break and Bob took over as Acting Dean. He then looked to me to be a teaching assistant, not just a paper grader. It was my first experience at the front of the classroom. He was very supportive. He was very helpful with recommendations to improve my teaching performance.
In 1978, he hired me as an Instructor teaching statistics and quality control. Again, he was very good at mentoring and helping me develop my teaching skills.
Since then, I have gone on to get a Ph.D. at Michigan State and I am a Professor of Engineering Management at Western Michigan University. Our program is nationally ranked and very successful. None of this would have happened if Bob hadn't given me that chance back in the 1970s to see what my role in higher education could be.
Bob was always someone I could speak very openly with. I truly appreciate all he was able to do for me.
My best to all of you. I hope you get lots of memories of Bob to help with the healing process.
Best regards,
David Lyth
Monday November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am
