Lyle Hymer-Thompson

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the death of Lyle Hymer-Thompson. Lyle died peacefully on April 17th in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 78. He will live on in the hearts of his son, Andre Thompson, ex-wife, Karen Hymer, Miles the cat, the Hymer/Holaway families, and all who had the fortune of knowing him. His parents, Mary and Pride Thompson of Marysville, Ohio, preceded him in death.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Lyle often spoke fondly of growing up in Oakdale Cemetery in Marysville, Ohio, where his father was the superintendent. Digging graves as a youth introduced him to hard work, camaraderie with older boys, and the feel of the earth. Lyle's drawing talents showed early in his life, earning him many awards as a youth. He drew his first house plans at the age of 14. Lyle played the trumpet in his high school marching band and went on to love all types of jazz, especially Latin jazz. He was an Eagle Scout, and lived his life by those values.
A self-proclaimed Luddite, Dirtball, and Adobero, Lyle (AKA Zorro/Fox) lived a uniquely creative life. He studied art in college earning a BFA in Painting, a MFA in Sculpture (Bowling Green University), a Masters in Painting (Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico), and a Doctorate in Higher Education (UCLA). He was an Omicron Delta Kappa at Bowling Green where he worked as a counselor and hall manager.
Lyle served students in various capacities through out his life. He worked at Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, and as the Dean of Students at Johnston College in Redlands, CA, 1970 - 1977. He was a mentor who touched the lives of hundreds of students (saving many an ass along the way); numerous students remained dear friends throughout his life. Oh, the stories they tell...
Lyle's love affair with Mexico began when he traveled to Mexico City as a college student. He was fluent in Spanish and through out his life returned to central Mexico spending much time in San Miguel de Allende painting and building. He led travel/study trips for students and adults, introducing many to the language, food, and people of his beloved Mexico.
In Redlands he designed and built his first adobe house. He went on to build houses in New Mexico and Arizona, moving to Tucson in 1988 to build Casa Tierra Bed & Breakfast with his wife, Karen. Through Casa Tierra they met many wonderful people from across the county who became clients and friends resulting in "Barrio Sapo," a neighborhood of Lyle's adobe houses in the desert west of Tucson. He drew house plans by hand, usually with a cat on his lap. Lyle worked closely with his small crew of men from Mexico. Spanish was always the language of choice. His job sites were quiet places; few power tools were used and the sound of birds and other animals were treasured. His passive solar homes reflect his love of nature, the sun, and the earth. Complete with sky lights, adobe arches, rustic floors, and Mexican tile, each house is a work of art built upon the dreams of the clients he called friends.
Lyle was married to Karen Hymer for 26 years and the birth of their son, Andr?, added pure joy and endless love to his life. His patience, kindness, and stability as a father ensured that Andr? grew into the wonderful young man he is today: Lyle was very proud of his son. He was a loving father, husband, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, god-father, and friend.
Creativity blossomed in all aspects of Lyle's life. He believed creativity was primary to life. He often quoted Robert Beach "Creativity is a very durable aspect of human behavior; Often it takes society twenty years of institutional training to crush it." Lyle never let that happen in his life and encouraged his students to follow their passions. Perhaps we can all learn from his example...
We lament the fact that he left us so soon - we all assumed we would have more time with Lyle. His legacy will live on through Andr?, adobe homes, and in the hearts of all he touched.
A celebration of Lyle's life will be held this fall in the Tucson desert. Donations in his name can be made to https://www.hermitagecatshelter.org/ or to Johnston Center at U of Redland in Memory or Lyle Hymer-Thompson (or Lyle Thompson) (https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1248/bp19/interior.aspx?sid=1248&gid=1&pgid=3375&cid=6511).