It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father and husband, Gale Harding Lyle, of Arlington Heights, July 2, 2021 at the age of 91. Gale was born December 17, 1929 to Genevieve and Matthew Earl Pluth in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Later, he took the name of his adopted father, Charles Lyle. Gale graduated from Monroe High School in St. Paul, then attended University of Minnesota to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Gale joined the Navy and served on the U.S.S. Kidd, and was honorably discharged. He met and married Joan Susan Kretchmer in 1956, and they made their home in Park Ridge, Illinois raising three lovely children together. They later divorced and Gale met the love of his life, Geraldine Sciarra and they spent 18 happy years together traveling, golfing, flying in Gale’s low-wing, homebuilt, aircraft and spending time with friends and family.

Gale had many talents and used his copious engineering and financial skills to contribute greatly to American Licorice, a family business that still thrives today. Gale retired from that business in the mid-80’s but his legacy lives on. Gale loved nothing more than spending time in the North Woods with his family, fishing with his kids, and flying his plane with Geri. Gale will be remembered for his dry wit and humor and his deep generosity to those he loved. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Geri, his two sons John (Suse) Lyle of Volcano, Hawaii; and Norbert (Lori) Lyle of Tucson, Arizona; and daughter Beverly (Jerome) Patt of Park Ridge, Illinois; one brother, Gene (Heather) Lyle of Minneapolis, Minnesota; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.