Robert H. "Bob" Lyon

Bob Lyon, Democrat, died peacefully on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at the Billings Clinic, held lovingly by his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. Given a possible eighteen months to live after surgery for metastasized colon cancer in 2002, his strength, courage-and stubbornness-carried him well past that.
Bob was born in Hastings, Neb., on May 23, 1922, the first child of Harold and Iris (Wilson) Lyon. He served in the army during World Way II and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, he received and undergraduate degree at Hastings College, where he began honing his writing skills, and went on to obtain graduate degrees at Denver University.
Bob moved to Billings in 1951 where he met Alice Perrin, a new music teacher in town. They were married on June 20, 1954, in Alice's home church in St. Paul, Minn.
Bob began his live-long calling as a speech professor, first at EMC (now MSU-B) and then at Rocky Mountain College, where he retired after 35 years of service. During that time, he re-activated the Rocky Mountain Speech and Debate team, taking it to remarkable heights for a then very small school. He received a life-long achievement award from Rocky last year, and has a scholarship in his name.
Following retirement, Bob gave his full energies to tracing his genealogy, and to helping elect local, state and national Democratic candidates.
In 2004, Bob and Alice celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary-a goal they had not expected to reach after his cancer diagnosis. In addition to his wife Alice, Bob is survived hy their son Jason, and Jason's wife, Melissa. Also surviving are his brother Wayne of Sarnia, Ontario; and sisters Charlotte Mullinson of Wray, CO and Patricia Hanson of Omaha. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Mary Graber.
Bob's final years were enhanced by the great skills of the Billings Clinic oncology physicians, especially Dr. Donald Twito, and the incredibly caring nurses of the Infusion Center. His life was also lengthened by the prayers of family and friends around the world, and by the nutritional support of USANA Health Sciences.
A Service of Celebration of Bob's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, at First United Methodist Church, Fourth and Broadway. A reception will follow with a chance to share "Bob Stories."
Memorials may be sent to the Robert Lyon Speech Team Memorial, c/o, Vickie Christie, Rocky Mountain College, 1511 Poly Dr. Billings, MT 59102, or the charity of your choice.
Michelotti-Sawyers is in charge of arrangements.
If Bob could have left a message for all who survive him, it would have been, "VOTE! Nov. 7, for the best Democratic candidates!"