Richard “Doc” Kyle was a celebrated professor, co-worker, advisor and friend to many on the Tabor College campus. Kyle, who came to Tabor in the fall of 1972 and retired after the 2012-13 academic year, died July 15 at the age of 85.
Over 41 years of teaching, Kyle bestowed knowledge upon his students and colleagues, bringing his passion for his faith and Bible and history courses to thousands of students.
“I have fond memories of my history course with Doc Kyle as an undergraduate in a Lohrenz classroom,” says Tabor President David Janzen. “He spoke with authority and passion that combined with his memorable personality made him a legend in Tabor’s history. We will miss Doc Kyle’s presence on campus and in our community, but his legacy will live in a faculty lecture series named in his honor.”
Kyle began a faculty lecture series in 1997, and it was named in his honor in 2004. James Titah, assistant professor of chemistry, delivered the 26th lecture of the series in April 2023.
In 1999, Kyle was awarded the first of two recognitions as a Fulbright Scholar. He taught American Studies at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academic in Kyiv, Ukraine, and then at Grodno State University in Grodno, Belarus in 2005-06.
Kyle published 12 books and penned pieces featured in more than 160 publications.
Kyle led more than 30 interterm study trips, including the first European tour in January 1981. Over 700 students took part in these trips, culminating with his final tour in his final year as a professor in 2013.
Kyle’s time at Tabor included the classroom and the football field. He served as interim head coach in 1974 and defensive coordinator in 1973, 1975-76, and 1978-93.
Kyle’s decorated football career at Kutztown University (Pa.) culminated with multiple honors as the college’s most valuable player (1957 and 1958). He earned professional contracts with the Baltimore Colts, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams. He was inducted into the Kutztown Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.
Kyle is survived by his wife, Joyce, and son Brent. He is predeceased by son Bryan.
Tabor College is the Mennonite Brethren college located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The mission of Tabor College, founded in 1908, is to prepare people for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and his kingdom.
