Lyle McKercher

Lyle McKercher, 84, passed away Monday, March 7, 2011 at the Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Lyle, the son of Alexander and Ella McKercher, was born February 13, 1927 in Sioux City, Iowa. He attended Central High School in Sioux City. He joined the Navy in I945 while he was still in high school. He did his basic training in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and served as a pharmacist mate first class in Idaho and Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He enrolled in Morningside College and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. He married Norma Jean McIntosh, his college sweet heart, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cleghorn, Iowa in 1950. To this union three sons, Scott William, Robin Jon, and Mark Lyle, were born. He started his teaching career in Sioux Rapids, Iowa instructing math and science. He eventually became the high school principal. Lyle received his Masters degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa, in Iowa City in 1959. He moved to Peru, Nebraska, and became professor of mathematics at Peru State College. Lyle did post graduate work in mathematics at the University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, University of Oregon, and UCLA in California. Three-time Teacher of the Year while at Peru, he was president of the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics. He was a 1985 finalist for the Nebraska State Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award. After 31 years of service at Peru State, Lyle retired in 1990 but continuing to work as President of the Peru State College Foundation until 1997. After retirement, Lyle and Norma enjoyed many winters spent in south Texas. Recently in 2006 they settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the Trial Ridge Retirement Community. Lyle enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, oak furniture restoration, wood carving, stain glass, square dancing, antiquing, camping, traveling, and meeting with friends for morning coffee and conversation. He was always active in community service with his leadership evident at the Peru Community Church, Peru Chamber of Commerce, Peru Kiwanis, Peru Historical Foundation, NEA, NSEA, and the National Association of Teachers of Mathematics. Lyle was named Citizen of the Year in 1986 by the Peru Kiwanis Club. He was inducted as an Admiral into the The Great Navy of Nebraska by Governor Mike Johanns in 2000. But most of all, he loved and enjoyed his family. Lyle is survived by his wife, Norma of Sioux Falls; his three sons: Scott (Laurita) of Sioux Falls, Robin (Rhonda) of Crete, Nebraska, and Mark (Judy) of Lafayette, Colorado; seven grandchildren: Jayme, Robyn (Chris Ernster), Alexi, Ian, Alexander, Matthew, and Marissa; many nieces and nephews, sister-in-law, Dorthy Allen of Carlsbad, CA; brother in-law, Bill (Mary) Mcintosh of Cleghorn, IA; brother-in-law, Lowell (Joyce) McIntosh of Paulina, IA; and many friends.

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[roosevelthighschool]

Do you know a Robyn McKercher who went to Washington High School?

[joeymack53]

Beautifully written Rob and such a testament to a humble man with great integrity, someone who was the measure of how great a human being can be. I will miss him and I will miss just being around him at family gatherings because he always made me laugh, and always made me feel like he enjoyed my company. I sure enjoyed his.

I will be thinking of you all this weekend. Love, JoAnne