Robert W. Tyson

4/20/1946 — 3/16/2017

Service Date: 3/22/2017
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Robert Wayne Tyson lived a full and blessed life from April 20, 1946, until March 16, 2017. Bob loved life and lived it fully, always giving 110 percent of himself in everything he did.

Bob was born to Guy Tyson and Gladys Pierce Tyson Yearout in Spokane and attended school and graduated from St. Maries High School in 1964. Because of his love of music and talent with most any musical instrument, Bob went on to finish his bachelor's and then master's degrees from the University of Idaho in music education in 1969 and 1974.

Bob started his career by sharing his love of music with the young people in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and surrounding area at Tammany Elementary and Middle School, as well as schools in Craigmont, Cottonwood, Culdesac and Orofino. While in his early 30s, Bob played the piano and organ at the First Baptist Church in Lewiston, which is where he met the love of his life and his best friend, Faye Sorrell Strickfaden Tyson. She had two young children, ages 8 and 10 (which somehow didn't scare him off), and they were married June 30, 1979.

Bob and Faye were members of Valley Christian Center for 25 years, during which time Bob was a choir director, usher, leader of the evangelism program, youth group chaperone and Royal Rangers teacher. Bob had a huge heart and love for people and very much wanted them to know the love of Jesus. He and Faye went on several mission trips to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Czechoslovakia, where he shared the message of God's great love for all of us. CrossPoint Alliance has been their church home for the past several years.

After retiring, Bob found a new love and passion - fitness and cycling. On a beautiful, sunny day, he wanted nothing more than to be on his bike riding up a hillside or along the river. He loved cycling, pushing himself further, faster, climbing higher. He had a great group of friends in his "cycling family," with whom he enjoyed riding, but he also enjoyed the solitude of his bike and a hilly road. Bob was a personal trainer at Gold's Gym and then at Anytime Fitness, where he recently became a certified spinning instructor. Bob passed away doing what he loved - riding a bike.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Faye, who was his best friend and the joy of his heart for 37 years; the children he inherited but loved as his own, Cary Strickfaden Dingman (Tom Seale) and Evan Strickfaden (Courtney); his grandchildren, whom he loved to tease, teach and love, and whom he prayed for daily, Cami Strickfaden McArthur (David McArthur), Josh Dingman, Kaci Strickfaden and Emilee Dingman; and his beautiful new great-granddaughter, Sadie Ruth McArthur, who was born just two months ago.

Bob was generous, caring man who loved his family, friends and people in general. He wanted everyone to know and share the love he had for his Lord, Jesus Christ. We can just picture him riding his new bike along the levee of the River of Life in heaven with his Savior.

A memorial service to celebrate a life well lived will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday at CrossPoint Alliance Church, 1330 Powers Ave., Lewiston. As Bob had a special place in his heart for young people, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to YoungLife, 923 Sixth St. No. 2, Clarkston, WA 99403.