Robert Eugene Tyler was born on January 3, 1919 in Villisca, Iowa the son of Henry Filson and Ethelda Amelia (Armstrong) Tyler. Bob entered into eternal peace on Sunday evening, June 12, 2011 at the Elm Heights Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa at the age of 92 years.
Bob graduated from Villisca High School with the Class of 1936. Following graduation he attended Simpson College where he received his Bachelors Degree. On January 18, 1941 Bob married his college sweetheart, Marian Laura Benton in Malvern, Iowa. In 1943 Bob enlisted in the United States Navy where he served his country with pride installing radar training equipment.
In 1946, Marian and Bob moved to Shenandoah where they started a bottling business. They bottled beverages for Coca Cola, 7-Up, Dr. Pepper, and other products. Bob and his brother also owned bottling plants in Nebraska and Texas as well.
Bob was quite active in the community and held many offices in several local lodges and clubs. In 1947 he worked on the Veterans Village Project, in 1950 he served as the President of the Red Cross, in 1952 he served as Worthy Patron of Eastern Star, in 1953 he served as the Rainbow Dad, from 1953-1954 he was President of the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors, in 1954 he was Director of Shenandoah Industries (in later years also served that organization as Treasurer, Vice President, President, and served on the Board of Directors), from 1959-1961 he was on the Board of Directors for the United Fund and also that year received the "Man of the Year Award" from the Jay Cee's, in 1961 served on the Advisory Board of Hand Hospital (a term which lasted until 1969), in 1965 served as President of Rotary, from 1967-1968 served on the Board of Directors of Rotary, from 1963-1965 was a Steward of the Methodist Church, from 1965-1967 was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Methodist Church, from 1967-1969 was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Methodist Church, he also helped the church with several financial drives, lay speaking duties, men's brotherhood, served on the building committee, the remodeling committee, and pastoral relations committee. Bob was a member of the Mason's, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, the Flying Club, the American Legion, and the Elks Club. He also served on the Simpson College Alumni Board, served on the Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado Bottlers Boards, was President of the Iowa Manufacturers and was Vice President of the Iowa Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages from 1968-1969.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marian Tyler; and siblings Geraldine, Donald, Kenneth, Carolyn, and Marilyn. Those left to honor his memory include his children Richard Tyler of Denver and Linda Tyler of Shenandoah; grandchildren Justin Tyler of Denver and Tiffany Stanley of Riverton; 5 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.