Robert V. Lyle
RESOLVED, That with great sadness we, the Board of Directors of Auerfarm, record the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Emeritus Director Robert V. Lyle.
A lifelong gardener, Bob maintained a large garden at home, and in 2006 he became a University of Connecticut Master Gardener. Bob devoted many hours at Auerfarm, in Bloomfield, Connecticut, to its program of growing and donating fresh vegetables to the food insecure through Foodshare of Greater Hartford.
In 2011 Bob joined the Board of Directors of Auerfarm. Quite soon he became its Chairman of the Board, filling a sudden and unexpected vacancy, while he also remained very active in other community service activities, such as the Salvation Army and the Simsbury Historical Society.
Bob helped greatly to breathe new life into the Board of Directors, its Committees, volunteerism, diversity, and development. He worked closely with the first independent Executive Director, helping to bring organizational structure and fiscal discipline to the farm, and Bob led our own transition from hands-on volunteers into a true governing Board of Directors. Importantly, Bob consistently led with resolve, energy, persistence, kindness, and modesty.
Retired from his profession as an actuary, Bob generously devoted many hours to Auerfarm. When he fell ill and was unable to drive, his dear wife Lois often drove him back and forth to many meetings at the farm. Additionally, he and Lois have been very generous donors to the farm. Among his accomplishments, Bob led Auerfarm to form its first Endowment; and then he and Lois commenced the funding of the Endowment with its first major financial contribution.
RESOVED FURTHER, That we, the Board of Directors of Auerfarm, in many ways the recipients of his dedication and devotion, extend our heartfelt thanks to Robert V. Lyle for his many contributions to Auerfarm; and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Lois Lyle, their children, grandchildren, and his many other loved ones.
Bob will be remembered fondly by many who tend the fields, care for the animals, teach in the classrooms, and walk the trails of Auerfarm, now and into the future, and we will miss his smile.