Win Tyler

Celebration of Life Services for Win Tyler, age 84, of Lenox, who died Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at his home will be held Saturday, July 6, 2013, at 10:30 AM at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox. Visitation will be held Friday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox from 3-7 with the family greeting friends from 5-7. Interment with military rites accorded by the Parkinson American Legion Post No. 250 will be held in the North Cemetery in Lenox. Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials be given in Win's name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox. Eugene Winston "Win" Tyler was born on October 20, 1928, in Lenox, Iowa, to Gladys (Lamb) and Oscar Donald "Don" Tyler.  He was the eldest of three children.  Win entered into eternal rest at his residence on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at 5:22 p.m. at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 12 days after a hard-fought battle with COPD.     Win spent his childhood in Lenox, graduating from high school in 1946.  As a teenager, he was very active in sports and music, having received many awards and honors for his musical abilities.  He was both an accomplished pianist and soloist and was highly sought after for both talents.  In church, Win performed in a quartet with Forrest Whipp, Bob Long and Guy Henderson. Win graduated from the University of Iowa School of Pharmacy in 1950.  During his college career and life in the ATO fraternity house, he did a lot of singing, and his favorite song to sing was:  "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight."   With his good looks, suave personality and many talents, Win was voted "most eligible bachelor on campus."  He remained popular and well-liked all the way to the end.   On August 18, 1950, Win was united in marriage to Bonnie Jean Baskerville, whom he met on a blind date at the Whetstone Pharmacy in Iowa City. Win and Bonnie were married at the Congregational Church in Fonda, Iowa.  They would have celebrated 63 years of marriage this August. Win and Bonnie made their home in Lenox for six months before he was drafted into the service during the Korean War.  He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, at the 97th General Hospital where he worked as a pharmacist.  They made their home in Frankfurt for 16 months and traveled extensively while they were there.     After returning to the United States, Win went to work for his father in the pharmacy as the third-generation family pharmacist.  During this time, he had a chance to audition for the world-renowned Fred Waring Pennsylvanians -- a large choral group and orchestra from Pennsylvania that came to Iowa every Thanksgiving to perform -- but he chose pharmacy as his career instead.   Win's interests in keeping the town of Lenox alive were varied: Park and pool director for 35 years; 50-year member of the Lenox Rotary International Club and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award through this organization for his significant monetary contribution to the eradication of polio; Served 25 years on the golf board; 50-year member of the Chamber of Commerce; 53-year member of the Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees;   Served on the school board for 6 years; Lifetime member of the American Legion and was treasurer of the local American Legion for 30 years and Commander of Parkinson Post 250 for 2 years; 50-year member of VFW and the Elks. Win was Chairman of the Centennial Parade in 1972. He was also Grand Marshal of the parade that year. He was chosen in 1985 to receive the "People Helping People" Award. Win was the recipient of the Iowa Volunteer Award from the Governor in 1990. This past spring, he received the Urban Good Neighbor Award. Win was very instrumental in getting the new golf course, the wind turbine which was named after him, and the new medical clinic. Win was a lifetime member of the Iowa Alumni Association and member of the I-Club and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.   Win was baptized into the Christian faith as an infant and remained a lifelong member of the United Presbyterian Church where he served as treasurer off and on for 25 years in addition to serving the church through his musical gifts during his teen years. Win donated generously to anyone who came to him for help.  He gave anonymously to many people in need -- anyone who was sick or couldn't make it on their own.  The school was a great recipient of his generosity as well as many other organizations.  In June of 2011, an article about Win's life and career appeared in OUR IOWA magazine under the heading "Country Character." Shortly thereafter his health began to decline.   During Win's 60+ years as a pharmacist, he mentored/coached many individuals who went on to become pharmacy techs, pharmacists, and other professionals within the medical field and some who chose professions outside of the medical field.  He also coached and mentored many of the lifeguards and managers at the swimming pool. He loved to see the people he mentored succeed.   Win loved his family and his work.  His hobbies in early life were fishing, taking his boat to Lake Icaria and helping in the yard.  He also enjoyed a good round of golf.  His favorite place to travel was Europe. As everyone knows, he was a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan -- through thick and thin, winning and losing -- and held football season tickets for years. Thus, Win will be buried in his Iowa Hawkeye colors, and his service will end with the Iowa Fight Song.   To quote Nancy Heim (and his family would agree) from the April 3, 2013, Lenox Time Table, Win's favorite quotes were:  There are always two sides to every story; a stitch in time saves nine; and a place for everything and everything in its place.  Win was fastidious/meticulous to a fault.  He epitomized the Iowa work ethic that is respected throughout the country.   Tyler Pharmacy was in the family for 133 years, having been started by his grandfather, Oscar Dewayne, in 1880.  Many generations of children returned year after year as an adult to enjoy a soda at the old-fashioned soda fountain at 1950's prices. For 60 years, Win got up every morning with the chickens to do what he loved most – serve the people of this community. When he sold his pharmacy this past spring, he sold his heart and soul. His life was well spent, his purpose complete. As we struggle to make our entrance into this world, so too did Dad struggle to leave this world – with every last breath he took. You can breathe easily now. Rest in peace, Dad. You've earned it! You will have to find another profession in heaven because medicine doesn't exist there. You have gone to a place of perfect peace, love and health. You can now sing tenor with a choir of angels. Those left to mourn are his wife, Bonnie, and his children:  Cheri (Tom) Seeton, Golden, CO; Jennie Tyler, Des Moines, IA; Rick (Maggie) Tyler, Iowa City; granddaughter, Savannah, and grandson, Sean, Denver, CO.  Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Judy (Dale) Eklund of Afton, IA, and his brother, Phil (Judy) Tyler of Creston, IA, as well as many nieces and nephews and other extended family, long-time friends and his pharmacy family.  Welcoming Win on the other side are his parents, grandparents and other relatives, several pets, and many friends who preceded him in death. Surely there is a new committee being formed in heaven right now. 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." Matthew 25:23 NLT: "The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'" Written by the Tyler kids