Dr. W. Andrew Lyle

Dr. W. Andrew Lyle

1942 ~ 2024

William Andrew Lyle "Andy" was born in Duncan Oklahoma September 30, 1942. Andy left this world on October 1, 2024. He was the son of Merle Lawrence and Robert A. Lyle III. His early years were spent in Dallas, Texas.

At age 15 Andy left his family to live with his father, a corporate pilot. He read "The Making of a Surgeon" which strongly influenced his determination to become a physician. Andy began his year of pre-med studies at Mississippi College in Jackson, Mississippi then transferred to Vanderbilt University. He found that it was possible to finish his pre-med education requirements early by attending Harvard University Summer School on a scholarship awarded by Vanderbilt. He finished his pre-med requirements at Vanderbilt and graduated with a B.A. in 1963. Andy went to medical school at Baylor University College of Medicine for 4 years, followed by a one year surgery internship. He served a 2 year military obligation in the Public Health Service (Gallup, New Mexico Indian Division), then 2 years in an Ophthalmology Residency in Baltimore, Maryland.

Andy moved on to serve as Chief Resident at the University of Utah for 1 year. Following this he did a Retinal Surgery Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He did a high volume of retinal cases (750 cases in a year) in that fellowship.

Andy began his surgical practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. His expertise was with Small Incision Cataract Surgery with lens implantation, Retinal Detachment Surgery, Corneal Transplantation, Glaucoma Procedures and LASIK Refractive Surgery. He built The Eye Institute of Utah and the Surgicare Center in 1981. It was the first Free Standing Surgical Facility for Ophthalmology in Utah. His patients came from a multi-state area which led Andy to form Eye Institute Clinics in Casper and Rock Springs, Wyoming; St. George, Utah; Idaho Falls, Idaho and Boise, Idaho.

He had a passion for flying and transitioned from a turbo prop to a Citation II corporate jet. Dr. Lyle added a multi-engine and instrument rating to his pilots license as well as being licensed by the FAA to fly jet aircraft. Being able to transport his staff to these clinics to evaluate patients for surgery, performing surgery in two of these locations, and evaluating them on their post-op visits saved the patients a long drive to Salt Lake City for surgery.

Dr. Lyle was on the cutting edge of new developments and procedures. He innovated numerous procedures with colleagues. These included topical eye drop anesthesia for cataract surgery, avoidance of an eyepatch and suture-less incision closure which allows immediate activity after surgery. He developed a combined procedure for glaucoma, cataract removal and lens implantation (phacotrabeculectomy) which allowed the patient to have one surgical procedure eliminating multiple separate procedures. Andy wrote over 40 scientific papers in ophthalmological journals. He was listed in the Best Doctors in America for several years. He was a frequent guest lecturer at national and international meetings of professional eye care associations. He was a pioneer in informing patients of new procedures in ophthalmology and offering seminars and screening exams at no charge. His quest was to provide the best care for his patients.

Retirement in 2003 became necessary when Dr. Lyle developed Parkinson's Disease. Throughout his life Andy excelled at skiing, tennis, golf, flying multi-engine aircraft, motorcycling, boating, fishing, traveling, running, reading and any other sport that interested him. His favorite quote was "Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal". Andy had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. He was a very giving and courageous individual. He was a role model and never complained about his disabilities associated with Parkinson's Disease. He had an insatiable quest for learning. In retirement, his interests included raising Koi and building koi ponds on his property, golf and tennis until he was unable to play, travel, and playing billiards with the men at Mt. Olympus Senior Center and his friends in Ketchum, Idaho.

Andy leaves behind the love of his life Lori D. Smith Lyle his wife of 46 years; and a family he loved and treasured: their son Dr. Adam R. Lyle and wife Allyson, grandsons Austin T. Lyle and William N. Lyle; son Dr. Derek D. Lyle (Tina Meftah); daughter Lauren E. Lyle, granddaughter Violet F. Olwell; sister Susan Lyle Shank (Deane), in laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and dear friends and associates. Andy is preceded in death by his son Austin A. Lyle, mother Merle Lawrence Lyle, father Robert A. Lyle III, Brother Robert A. Lyle IV, and sister Ina Glynn Garni.

Our thanks to the many physicians, caregivers and Hospice that helped in support, care and assistance in Andy's quality of life.

A private service will be held where he will be laid to rest next to his son Austin. In lieu of flowers, be kind and helpful to others and enjoy and appreciate what this life has to offer, after all "Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal". -