Funeral service for Robert L. "Bob" Pyle will be at 10:30 AM Monday, February 15, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. John Helgeson, pastor officiating.

Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home with Military Honors.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the funeral home.

Robert L. "Bob" Pyle, age 79, of Lawton, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2016 in Lawton. He was born October 8, 1936 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to Charles and Lurene Pyle. Bob grew up there where he attended school. Upon leaving home he went to OSU where he played baseball. He left college to join the Army and served his country for two years. Bob returned to OSU where he graduated with a degree in music. He began his teaching career as a band director and taught at Idabel, Haskell and Henryetta before he moved to Lawton to start his career as the band director at Lawton High School. While at LHS, his bands were known as the "Pride of Lawton," bringing home #1 Superior rating with his marching bands. Bob retired from Lawton Public Schools in 1986 and went to Jacksboro, Texas where he taught band for one year and then took his talents to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch where he worked for seven years. By the end of his career he had developed the small boys band into a marching band making a #1 Superior rating at State Contest, the first ever.

While teaching at LHS, he met and married Shirley Shanklin, his devoted wife for thirty-four years. Bob retired for good in 1995 and he and Shirley moved to Colorado. They enjoyed hunting, fishing and began participating in the Rocky Mountains Mountain Man Rendezvous where he was referred to by his friends as "Old Dog." During his Rendezvous career he won four national Championships and the World Championship in 2006. Bob was inducted into the International Knife Thrower Hall of Fame in 2006. Bob was a member of the Shriners and often volunteered playing with the band to raise money for special needs children.

Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley Pyle, of the home, a daughter, Lori Williamson of San Antonio, Texas, a son, Scott Pyle of Chickasha, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Brittney Pyle, of Hugo, Oklahoma, Katelyn Pyle, of Lawton, Charles Williamson and Jerimiah Williamson, of San Antonio, Texas; great grandkids, Jayla, Jakayla and Jacee, of Hugo, Oklahoma and K.J., of Lawton, a brother, Joe Pyle and his wife Michelle of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, six step children, nine step grandchildren and ten step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lurene Pyle and a sister, Mary Pyle.