Lyle Lindsay

Lyle T Lindsay of Los Altos, CA, died from natural causes on January 8, 2017. He was born on September 15, 1922 in McMinnville, OR to George and Gertrude Lindsay. From 1940-1943, he studied mechanical engineering at Oregon State University, where he joined the Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity. Mr. Lindsay interrupted his studies to serve as an officer in the Army Signal Corps from 1943 until 1947. He was stationed in Zamboanga, Mindanao, Philippines and remained in the Army Reserves until 1982. Following World War II, Mr. Lindsay resumed his studies at OSU, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1947. At OSU he met his wife of 34 years, Barbara Hall. They married in 1948 and soon moved to Los Altos, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Lindsay was employed as an engineer by Westinghouse, General Electric, and Perkin-Elmer. Having developed a passion for aeronautics during childhood, he worked on photographic reconnaissance satellite systems such as Gambit (1962-68) and Hexagon, also known as “Big Bird” (1968-86). In addition, he worked on the Hubble Space Telescope. His wife was active as a Girl Scout leader, and he assisted her with countless scout trips and activities, especially with the Mariner Ship M.S.S. Shangri-la. After retiring in 1986, he devoted his time to family, who loved him dearly. He enjoyed gardening, concerts, designing and building custom doll houses for his granddaughters, reading, camping with his grandchildren, Scrabble, and crossword puzzles. Mr. Lindsay was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his brother and sister-in law, Keith and Ruth Lindsay, and his son-in-law, Douglas Stow. He is survived by his daughters Suzan Foreman of Grover Beach, CA (husband David); Margaret Stow of Half Moon Bay, CA; Victoria Levine of Colorado Springs, CO (husband Mark); and Kathryn Stephens of Placerville, CA (husband Charles). He is also survived by seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his long-time companion, Alice Prender. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be sent to the OSU Foundation, 850 SW 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333.