Richard Pyle Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Born: 7/16/1937 Died: 12/10/2012 The Rev. Richard G. Pyle, age 75, of Harrington, DE, formerly of New Castle, passed away on Monday, December 10, 2012. A native Delawarean, Rev. Pyle was born in Wilmington on July 16, 1937, son of the late Byron B. Pyle and Pearl Wilson Pyle. He proudly made his career in the service of his country, beginning as a member of the US Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea from 1955 to 1958. He would later serve in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War before leaving active duty in 1972. In the 1980s, he was asked to return to active service as an evaluator/instructor. Even following his retirement, he remained an important member of the local military community serving as the Wing Chaplain of the Delaware Wing Civil Air Patrol (the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Delaware). Among his many military affiliations, he had been a longtime member of the American Legion and of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Rev. Pyle received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wilmington College and his master’s degree in divinity from Redding University, and served as associate pastor of Salem United Methodist Church for many years. Active in the Masonic order, he was a member and twice Past Master of Christiana Lodge #35 AF&AM, as well as a member of the Knights Templar. An accomplished musician and artist, Rev. Pyle also enjoyed flying, riding motorcycles, camping, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he adored. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, he is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Barbara J. Himes Pyle; children, Cheri Collins and husband Rich of St. Georges, Ginny Owens and husband Rick of Georgetown, and Rick Pyle of Harrington; brothers, Frank William Pyle and wife Annemarie of Sierra Vista, AZ, Raymond Hunter Pyle and wife Connie of Zephyrhills, FL, and Lauri R. Pyle and wife Marilyn of League City, TX; grandchildren, Kristi (Dan), Melanie (Steve), Amy, Matthew, Crystal, Timothy, Michael, Paul, Megan, Rebekah, and Aliscia; and eight great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ginny Chambers, previously of Elkton, MD. Visitation will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm on Sunday, December 16th, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, December 17th, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.