Robert L. Tyler
Jan 20, 1908-Oct. 14, 1991
Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 14, 1991, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Arrangements pending at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home for Robert L. Tyler, Sr., 83, of Niles, died at 5:40 a.m. today at Healthwin Hospital, South Bend, Ind., following a several month illness.
Mr. Tyler was the former President of Tyler Refrigeration Corp.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 15, 1991, page 1, col. 7-8, cont. page 2, col. 4-8, microfilm Niles District Library
Tyler dead at 83
By David Keim
staff writer
NILES--Niles has lost an important community leader, a man respected in business and admired for his service to his town.
Robert L. Tyler Sr., former president of Tyler Refrigeration Corp., died Monday at 5:40 a.m. He was 83.
Mrs. Tyler resided in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and died at Healthwin Hospital in South Bend, Ind., after an illness of several months.
"If there's any one man that this town owes something to, it's Bob Tyler," said William Gallagher, who worked under Tyler for 10 years in the 1950s and 1960s before Tyler helped him start his own company.
"You wouldn't have a YMCA if there wasn't Bob Tyler," Gallagher said.
"His church (First Presbyterian) wouldn't have the chapel. .
"Bob was probably one of the most humane (men), but he was so inspiring." Gallagher continued. "He was a people person. He drove his company with people. He knew that for that company to grow he had to have loyal people. If you were loyal to him and the company, he was loyal to you."
Tyler took over as president in 1946 upon the sudden death of his brother, Jerry Tyler, the company's founder. He retired in 1969.
Tyler was instrumental in helping to raise the money that helped create the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, and served Niles with the Cancer Drive, United Fund and Jerry Tyler Foundation as well. He was a state director of the YMCA and director of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA.
"He was probably one of the greatest people I've known in my life." said Niles Mayor Larry Clymer, who worked in sales for Tyler Refrigeration for 30 years.
"He was very community-oriented and encouraged his people to do the same . .
"He was a stern taskmaster but he was one you could go in to and counsel with on personal problems as well as business problems," Clymer said, adding "He was exactly what we talk about today (as what a leader) should be."
Clymer said "in one hand (he) carried a big stick in the other (he) carried his heart."
A World War II veteran, Tyler received the Legion of Merit and was a major in the U.S. Army. He was a member of LaRue Messenger American Legion Post No. 26 in Niles.
He was an athlete, and his love of sports and military background aided his business life, Gallagher said.
"When Bob had to assume the presidency of that company ..he began to put a team together. He became our coach you might say.
"He made district managers out of us. He put us through training . .You knew every part of the plant before you went out in the field."
Still, if a problem came up, his employees felt free to call at any time, on weekends, at night, Gallagher said.
"Bob had a weakness, if anything, (in that) in management he was too kind to his people," he added.
Roger Barr, who still works at Tyler as model shop manager, said of Tyler "He was an inspiration to all the people around here. He was a good man. He was a real genuine person. You could talk to him and he would understand things.
"Today you don't get that in business," Barr said.
Tyler was born on Jan. 20, 1908 in Three Rivers and moved to Niles from Glen Ellyn, Ill., in 1945.
That year he became vice president and sales manager of Tyler Fixture Corporation, and the next year was named president.
Tyler's work with the firm began in 1928, when he worked as field salesman.
Mr. Tyler is survived by wife Zelda Bolster Tyler, whom he married on June 20, 1975; sons Thomas L. Tyler of Huntington, Ind. and Taylor "Tim" Tyler of Niles; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A third son, Robert L. Tyler Jr., died on March 18, 1975.
Tyler's first wife, Dorotha Taylor Tyler, died in Feb. 1966. They were married on June 28, 1928. Tyler's second wife, Mariette Guy Tyler died Jan. 14, 1975. They were married Nov. 11, 1966.
The Rev. Clayton Fairo, minister at First Presbyterian Church in Niles, will officate funeral services.
Services are Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the church, with burial at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Visitation is one hour before services at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the foundation of the First Presbyterian Church and the Niles YMCA.