Rory Paul Tyler

1950 - 2025

Rory Paul Tyler

1950 ~ 2025

Rory Paul Tyler was born December 27, 1950 in Tichigan Lake, Wisconsin and passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025 at his home in Castleton, Utah. Rory was the second of four children of Charles and Gwendolyn Tyler, and is survived by his younger brother Matthew. By age 7 moving all around the country following Charles' work, the family settled in Union Grove, Wisconsin. He was a bright, inquisitive and sometimes outspoken student.

After high school he moved to Portland, Oregon for 20 years, living and building an amazing and supportive circle of friends who will miss him dearly. Early on, Rory and a friend riding bicycles were nearly struck by cars on several occasions. Believing such a grievous hazard should not go unresolved, these "20-somethings" rode to the mayor's office, burst in demanding something be done. The mayor gave them 5 minutes to make their case; he then gave them a week to prepare and present Portland's first ever adopted Bike Plan. This "Be a Voice, Not an Echo" mentality permeated Rory's beliefs and actions for the rest of his life.

Rory moved to Moab in 1993 and his "Be a Voice, Not an Echo" attitude saw an opportunity. As the news reader at KZMU, he launched the public service program "This Week in Moab" which is on air to this day. As a Board member he helped determine the station's direction.

During that time, he heard the Siren's call from ancient Rock Art. Rory and his best friend Jose Knighton spent nearly two decades answering that call in the canyons, deserts and plateaus. Here is what Rock Art meant to Rory in his own words from his unfinished book, "Basket Case":

"If I didn't study ancient rock art I probably wouldn't be happy. For me that's been enough of a reason to do it. I knew of nothing else that has so much to offer, so I took the offer and studied rock art for thirty years from my home base in Moab, I am one, among many, from many times and places, that rock art has fascinated and engaged. By living in Moab, I had special opportunities that were unavailable to most other interested parties. Moab contains a mother-lode of Indian rock art which has barely been studies by "serious" academic archeologists, which means that I have had the honor and privilege to study the art with a pioneering mentality." Rory P. Tyler

Those words ring particularly true to his passionate rock art community of wonderful friends in Moab and beyond. During Rory's 30-plus years in Moab, the breadth and depth of his friendships and associations with KZMU, Sports, Nightlife, Music, Poetry, Rock Art, and many more will be fondly remembered.

Please don't send flowers. Keep Rory's passionate and remarkable life's work alive. View, read and share his pioneering Rock Art and Ancient Astronomy works on his website moabrockart.org, and view his YouTube channel Rory Tyler Cowboy Poetry.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, at Old City Park, Moab, Utah.

Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com