Obituaries
Kenneth Roger Pyle
November 5, 1941 - May 21, 2020
- Memorial Service at a later date
- Memorial Service
Kenneth Roger Pyle, 78, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away suddenly at his home, (non-Covid-19 related) on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Dr. Pyle, known as Roger, was born on November 5th, 1941 in Shanghai, China and was the oldest child of Kenneth Nelson Pyle of San Diego, California and his wife Laura Almira (Steanson) Pyle of Moray, Kansas.
Roger earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from MIT in 1963. He went on to further his education, obtaining his PhD in Physics from The University of Chicago in 1971. Passionate about astrophysics, Roger worked for The University of Chicago first as a research assistant while working on his doctoral program; and after graduation he joined the Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research (LASR) as a Research Associate, and later as a Research Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator on various cosmic ray research projects. (1963 – 1998). In 1998 he joined the Bartol Research Institute at the University of Delaware, as a Sr. Scientist to participate in a major project centered around his area of specialization, a role he would hold from 1998 until 2007. After his years as a Senior Scientist, Roger retired from the University of Delaware and joined Pyle Consulting Group, Inc., where he served as Sr. Vice President for Research, continuing to work with the University of Delaware, and other universities, on cosmic ray research, from 2008 until his passing.
Roger met the love of his life, Beatriz (Tiza) Maranhão Pyle, of Belo Horizonte, Brazil during the time his family lived in Campinas, Sao Paulo, where his father worked as an electrical engineer. After meeting in 1962, the young couple corresponded until their engagement in 1964. They were married on June 30th, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois. Together, they were blessed with three children: Katherine L. (Pyle) Underwood, Robert J. Pyle, and Stephen N. Pyle.
Roger is survived by his beloved wife Beatriz (Tiza) Pyle, his children Katherine (Lawrence) Underwood, Robert (Angela) Pyle, his grandchildren Andrew and Julia Pyle, and Julian and Emilia Underwood and his dear brother Lawrence (Ann Calabrese) Pyle. He is also survived by his faithful dog, Suds.
Roger is preceded in death by his son, Stephen, and parents Kenneth Pyle and Laura Pyle.
Arrangements are private. A Celebration of Life memorial will be scheduled later in the year as conditions allow. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Lazarus House in St. Charles. 214 Walnut Street, St. Charles, IL. or to MIT Physics Department, in memory of K. Roger Pyle, Class of ’63. Checks may be made payable to MIT and mailed to: Memorial Gifts Office- 600 Memorial Drive, W98-500, Cambridge, MA 02139.
Further details about memorial services will be posted on the Yurs Funeral Homes web page at: https://www.yursfuneralhomes.com/obituaries
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Condolences
Lisa Uribe from Willowbrook, IL
"Sympathy and prayers for you and your family Kathy."
Fred Sopron from CHICAGO, IL
"You were a wonderful mentor and friend when we worked together at LASR. Farewell old friend! You also taught me that both parties in a marriage can have dynamic careers and still have a close and loving relationship. God bless you!"
Kathy (Pyle) Underwood from Villa Park, IL
"Dad, we knew how to be together and never say a word I know you are with me always. Miss you! Know you will always be with me and I know you are no longer in pain. Love always!"
RuthWells from Tullahoma, TN
"Roger was a very gentle and kind man, respected by everyone. May he now rest in the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ."
Mary Paul from West Bend, WI
"So sorry to hear about Roger's passing. My heart is sad and my prayers are with Tiza and the family."
ginny maloney from St Charles, IL
"My sympathies and prayers are with you and your family. Roger is now at peace and will be forever in your hearts. Wishing you God's peace in your time of sorrow."
Jim Beatty from Columbus, OH
"I enjoyed working with Roger during my time as a student at LASR. He was always available, helpful and kind. My condolences to the family."
Val Smith from Chicago, IL
"Met Roger in the 1980s in LASR. Nice guy, always kind to me. Rest easy Roger."
Mike Thayer from Bridgewater, NJ
"Roger was a kind and helpful man, who really was a great example to a young grad student like me of what a research scientist could be. I was glad to know him and offer my sincerest condolences to his family."
Mike DuVermois from Madison, WI
"So sorry to hear the news. Roger was an advisor to me when I started at Chicago, and a colleague much later. I remember his great stories. All the best to the family."
Tom Economou from Chicago, IL
"I have interacted with Roger when I was working with Tony Tuzzolino on cosmic ray background on solid state detectors. He was always nice and polite. Condolences to the family."
Bruno Maranhão from Belo Horizonte, MD
"Uncle Roger was a wonderful person. Despite being very quieto and introspective, he really cared for people and was alwais very glad to make one happy. His enormous intelligence and good humour made him a very good company. I'm thankful that I could be with him even for a limited time! Love, Bruno"
MaryBeth Dyer and Jodi Tauber from Bolingbrook , IL
"Sending our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry for your loss. He was a brilliant man with a kind, loving and beautiful heart. He will be greatly missed His legacy will live on for years years to come."
Joe Mazur from Bristow, VA
"After reading these condolences, I know that the time I shared with Roger at LASR was not unique. He helped me become a scientist and a science collaborator by showing me how he did it. I was a young undergrad at the UofC and learned fast that Roger and crew were serious people: he would read quantum mechanics textbooks to pass the time during space instrument testing. My condolences to the family. I hope that you find reassurance that Roger was a positive and permanent influence on so many people who you've never met."
Howard Rodstein from Lake Oswego, OR
"Roger was a user of my company's software (Igor Pro) for over three decades. Over that time, my coworkers and I had many email exchanges with him. Roger was always insightful, kind, and patient with us. Reading his obituary today, we understand that he was also modest. We feel fortunate to have had the chance to know him."