Robert H. Lyon

Robert Hayes Lyon, 57, died July 3 in Chicago from complications with leukemia.

Born in Greencastle, he was the son of Keith Houk and Joanne Lyon. His wife Donna survives.

A 1968 graduate of Greencastle High School, he earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.

He worked as a strategist for First National Bank of Chicago and then joined Institutional Capital (ICAP) as a securities analyst in 1976. Later he worked for Fred Alger Management in New York.

In 1988, Lyon returned to ICAP in Chicago as director of research. Four years later, he became the company's president and chief investment officer. Lyon and his partners were named Morningstar's "International stock fund managers of the year" in 2005. In 2006, he joined New York Life Investment Management.

Lyon supported several charities and served on several boards, including the Sunshine Gospel Ministries in Chicago. Putnam County was a primary beneficiary of Lyon's philanthropy.

Through the Putnam County Community Foundation, he contributed to a variety of programs.

The Lyon Family Scholarship Fund was designated to help Putnam County residents obtain post-secondary education and training, particularly if they were to put their new skills to use in Putnam County.

Lyon was also involved in the Knoy Research Center at Cloverdale High School.

Survivors include his wife Donna; five children, David and wife Vanessa, along with Alyson, Whitney, Keith and Alexandra, all of Chicago; sisters Anna Baker and husband Martin, Zionsville, and Patricia Kennedy, Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nephews, aunts and cousins.

Lyon was buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.

Memorials may be made to the Lyon Family Scholarship Fund, at the Putnam County Community Foundation, 2 S. Jackson St., Greencastle, or to the Robert H. Lyon Leukemia Foundation, care of David Lyon, 1801 N. Sedgwick St., Chicago, IL 60614.