Robert Dyas Obituary

Robert Dyas

Ames

Robert William Dyas passed away on November 10, 2014 at Northcrest Health Care Center in Ames, Iowa. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on December 6th, at 11:00 a.m. at Grandon Funeral Home. A luncheon will follow the service. Burial will be in the Iowa State University Cemetery.

Robert W. Dyas was born on May 4, 1919 in Maquoketa, Iowa, the son of Roy W. and Mary E.(Weirick) Dyas. In 1935 he graduated from high school in Andrew, Iowa. Robert entered the U.S. Army on December 5, 1940 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in July 1942, serving in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division, including combat in France, Germany, and Austria from 1944 to 1946. He earned the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and several combat ribbons. He was separated from service as Major in 1946.

Dyas received B.S. and MLA degrees in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University (1946-1953). He taught at Penn State University, 1954-57, and University of California, Berkley, 1957-58. From 1958-60, he was employed as a landscape architect at Hare & Hare in Kansas City, MO. Robert W. Dyas was a Professor of Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University from 1960 until his retirement in 1989 as Distinguished Professor Emeritus. One of his largest studies while teaching at Iowa State involved a field study (1970-71) of the Midwest savanna, a region stretching from Canada to Texas.

Dyas received numerous awards including the Outstanding Teacher Award (1969) from Iowa State University, the L. C. Chadwick Award (1978) from the American Association of Nurserymen, the Horticulture Merit Award (1979) from the Iowa State Horticultural Society, the Faculty Citation (1986) from the Iowa State University Alumni Association, and the Silver Medal (1987) from Tau Sigma Delta for distinction in design education.

In 1956, he married Lorraine E. Roden in Paris, Texas. The couple moved to Ames in 1960 where he joined the faculty at Iowa State University. Robert Dyas was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts, and its Ames branch church where he also served as a reader and board member.

Robert W. Dyas is survived by his brothers, John W. of Maquoketa, Richard H. and his wife Ann of Eagle Grove, sister-in-law Rosella (Thomas) of Maquoketa, nephews, Willard, Richard, James and John R., nieces Susan (Jeb) Johenning and Sandra Dyas and many more family members not named here. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lorraine, his brother Thomas, his nephew Floyd and sister-in-law Doris Dyas.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Robert W. Dyas Internship, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation; 505 Fifth Ave Suite 444, Des Moines, IA 50309

Robert W. Dyas Scholarship, College of Design, Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50010

Anderson-Dyas Prairie, Research Farms, Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Foundation, Ames, IA 50010

Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register on Nov. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Dyas

4 Entries

Marni Malone

January 17, 2015

What a wonderful couple Bob and Lu were and memories of them and my parents bring warmth to my heart/spirit.

A Walk in the Woods with Prof Dyas ...

Rich Gardner

November 18, 2014

Chris K

November 17, 2014

Thanks for pointing out the hemp plants on our plant walk with professor Boone. It was an honor to have worked with you.

Silver Star

Joe Kacmarynski

November 16, 2014

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Robert W. Dyas (ASN: 0-1288027), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 15 March 1945 near Althorn, France. While leading his Company under heavy enemy mortar and small arms fire, in an attack upon German positions near Althorn, France on 15 March 1945, Captain Dyas was wounded in the arm by an exploding mortar shell. In spite of the pain, Captain Dyas refused medical treatment and continued to command his Company. Making a reconnaissance of enemy positions, he drew a sketch of the German installations and, running more than 250 yards to the rear, oriented his Executive Officer as to the enemy situation, enabling him to assume command of the Company without delay. The courageous leadership and outstanding devotion to duty exhibited by Captain Dyas inspired his men to overcome all enemy opposition and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the armed services of the United States.
General Orders: Headquarters, 42d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 53 (May 7, 1945)

Action Date: 15-Mar-45

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Company K

Regiment: 242d Infantry Regiment

Division: 42d Infantry Division

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results