Lyle Alexander van Ravenswaay passed away on Monday, September 3, 2018 in Lexington, Virginia.

Born in Boonville, Missouri on July 12, 1930, he was the son of Dr. Alexander and Berenice van Ravenswaay.

After attending the University of Missouri, Lyle served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

After the Army, Lyle joined the United States Foreign Service. His diplomatic assignments included Baghdad, Paris, Benghazi, Port of Spain, Abidjan, Lome, Jakarta, Rotterdam, Auckland, Port-au-Prince, and Toronto. Lyle also served as a relief officer in Tangiers, Mogadishu, Cairo, Port-au-Prince, and Dublin. He served his country for over 35 years.

Lyle retired to Natural Bridge Station and spent 30 wonderful years at his beloved Greenlee. An avid historian, he was a member of the Civil War Round Table. He loved to play golf and was a voracious reader. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi.

Lyle leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Susan, of Natural Bridge Station; his daughter, Lisa van Ravenswaay of Lexington; his son, Theodore van Ravenswaay of Natural Bridge Station, four grandchildren, Matthew, Katherine and her husband, Roy, Theodore, and Mary; his sister, Sharon Topel of Wichita, Kansas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lyle was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Dr. Theodore van Ravenswaay.

At Lyle's request, there will be no funeral. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said for him at St. Patrick's Church in Lexington on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 12:15 p.m. Burial will be in Boonville, Missouri at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lyle's name to Rockbridge Area Hospice.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home.