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Lyle A. Wolcott
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Lyle A. Wolcott was born on April 17, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a taxi cab. His father, Luther Wolcott, was a railroad engineer. His mother, Leota Lyle Wolcott, was a homemaker. Their family also included Lyle's two sisters, Donna and Margaret.
Lyle learned the value of hard work, even as a small boy. As early as age 5, he began to work on his grandfather's farm. Growing up during the Great Depression taught him lessons that would remain with him his entire life. He told the story of his childhood friend who only owned one shirt. On the days the shirt was being laundered, his friend could not come out to play. Later, as a father, he sent his daughters to college telling them they could not depend on a husband, who might die, nor on money in a bank, that may fail. He said the only thing you can depend on is your skills.
Despite the Depression, Lyle found ways to enjoy himself roaming the fields, hunting, and fishing with his dog ”Skip”. He loved nature and was a lifelong animal lover. In later life, after the family dog, “Daiquiri”, he had a succession of cats, many of which he simply named “Cat”. His last two cats, “Bo” and “Little Guy” miss ‘helping’ him read the paper and watch the news.
Lyle followed his father's military footsteps. Luther had been a Patriot and Veteran serving in WWI. Both his parents were active in the VFW. When Lyle was 17 he enlisted in the navy but he had to get his father’s permission because he was underage. He was proud of serving in the Navy on the destroyers USS Welles and USS Clinton. He was honorably discharged as a Fireman First Class and received the Victory Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon and the American Area Ribbon. When he arrived home from service, he donated all of his financial resources to his sister, Margaret, for her much needed heart surgery. As a retiree, he attended navy destroyer reunions around the U.S. with his wife Sylvia, including one in New Orleans the day before Hurricane Katrina hit.
After the war, Lyle attended, among other schools, Western Michigan University, Wayne State University, Central Michigan University and Lawrence Technical University. He obtained an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, several masters degrees in mechanical and industrial engineering and one in management, and a PhD in educational leadership. For his internship he directed Macomb County Community College for 6 months.
Lyle met his wife, Sylvia, through mutual friends. The first night he saw her he asked her to dance and they danced all night long. The two were married in 1957 at St. David Church on the east side of Detroit and were happily married for over 52 years. Their first home was in Eastpointe, Michigan.
After getting out of the navy, Lyle went to work in the defense industry designing tanks for the Army and was recognized as one of the top 5 tank designers in the free world, as reported in the Detroit News.
Lyle enjoyed travelling all over the U.S. and Europe with his wife and kids. The family even lived in Germany for a year while Lyle was consolidating NATO weaponry.
After Lyle retired with the civilian equivalent of a full bird Colonel, he went on to consult for Rockwell International and GM. He transitioned into full retirement, by taking up home computing as a hobby.
Lyle was very independent until the end. Even into his 80's he would insist on caring for his own lawn and shoveling his snow. He was very supportive of his family, as a listener, a role model, and a volunteer for home and car repair projects. He was an avid golfer.
Lyle's life is a testament to hard work and never accepting limitations. He was a man of few words and great integrity, who did the right thing all the time even when no one was watching. He was extremely generous and a kind and gentle man.
Lyle A. Wolcott passed away on February 4, 2013 at age 85. He was the beloved husband of the late Sylvia. He was the loving father of Susan Wolcott, Cindy & the late Mark Yankley and Brenda & Rick Pefley. He was the proud grandfather of Alexis Salt and Matt & Max Yankley. He was the great grandfather of Matilda. He was the dear brother of the late Donna & Margaret. He is survived by his niece Deanne Murphey and her family along with his nephews Dan & John Rohrschieb. He was a proud WWII Naval Veteran
Lyle's life will be celebrated on February 8, 2013 at McCabe Funeral Home in Farmington Hills.
www.mccabefuneralhome.com
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