Lyle R. Ackert

Lyle R. Ackert RHINEBECK- Lyle R. Ackert, 71, of Rhinebeck, died suddenly at his home on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Born in Rhinebeck on June 25, 1940; he was the son of the late Lyle W. and Nedra (Hover) Ackert. Lyle was a graduate of Rhinebeck High School, Class of 1958. In 1958, Lyle entered the United States Air Force; he served at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Pease Air Force Base in N.H., and in Okinawa, Japan, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served as military police and was in charge of protecting strategic nuclear weapons at a pivotal time in history of the United States. Lyle also served at Minot Air Force Base in N.D. until his honorable discharge in 1962. He was a longtime active member of Montgomery Post 429 American Legion in Rhinebeck. In Nov. of 1970, Lyle began working for the N.Y.S. Office of Parks, Rec. and Historic Preservation/Taconic Region as a Park Ranger. In Oct. of 1971, he became an officer with the Park Police. He attained the rank of Sergeant in June of 1989, and retired from the N.Y.S. Park Police, Taconic Region, north and south zones, in June of 1996. Following his retirement, he continued to work for 10 years as a N.Y.S. Park Ranger. Lyle married Ruth Fraleigh Ackert in Feb. of 1993, and eventually moved to Santa Maria, Calif. Following the passing of his wife in May of 2006, he moved back to his beloved Rhinebeck. He is survived by his loving sister, Mallory Alexander-Lewis and her husband Stephen of Schenectady, along with many cousins and friends. Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes in Rhinebeck on Tuesday, March 6, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Montgomery Post #429 - American Legion will conduct services during visitation. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7, at Clermont Cemetery, Clermont. Memorial donations may be made in Lyle's memory to the Montgomery Post 429 American Legion, P.O. Box 429, Rhinebeck, N.Y., 12572 or the American Cancer Society, 2678 South Rd., Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 12601. Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 91 E. Market St., Rhinebeck. For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.Burnett-White.com.