Richard “Doc” Kyle was a celebrated professor, co-worker, advisor, and friend to many on the Tabor College campus.
Over 41 years of teaching, Kyle bestowed knowledge upon his students and colleagues, bringing his passion for his faith and Bible and history courses to thousands of students.
“I have fond memories of my history course with Doc Kyle as an undergraduate in a Lohrenz classroom,” said Tabor President David Janzen, Ph.D. “He spoke with authority and passion that combined with his memorable personality made him a legend in Tabor’s history. We will miss Doc Kyle’s presence on campus and in our community, but his legacy will live in a faculty lecture series named in his honor.”
Kyle’s passion for learning and educating came as a student and a professor.
Kyle’s Academic History
| Year | Location | Degree/Field of Study |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Kutztown University (Pa.) | B.S., Secondary Education |
| 1965 | Temple University (Pa.) | Th.M., History of Christianity & American Religion |
| 1968 | Denver Seminary (Colo.) | M.Div., General Ministry Program |
| 1972 | University of New Mexico | Ph.D., History |
| 1980 | Princeton Theological Seminary (N.J.) | Th.M., History of Christianity & American religion |
In 1999, Kyle was awarded the first of two recognitions as a Fulbright Scholar. He first taught American Studies at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academic in Kyiv, Ukraine, and then at Grodno State University in Grodno, Belarus in 2005-06.
The storied Tabor professor also published 12 books and penned pieces featured in more than 160 publications.
Kyle began a faculty lecture series in 1997 and it was later named in his honor in 2004. Dr. James Titah, assistant professor of chemistry, delivered the 26th lecture of the series in April 2023.
He led over 30 Interterm/study trips, including the first European tour in January 1981. Over 700 students took part in these trips, culminating with his final tour in his final year as a professor in 2013.
Kyle’s time at Tabor included the classroom and the football field. He served as interim head coach in 1974 and defensive coordinator in 1973, 1975-76, and 1978-93.
A decorated playing career at Kutztown University (Pa.) culminated with multiple honors as the college’s most valuable player (1957 and 1958) and later earning four professional contracts with the Baltimore Colts, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams. He was inducted into the Kutztown Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.
Kyle was preceded in death by a son, Bryan (g’96), and survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce (g’82), and son, Brent (g’99).
Memories of Dr. Richard Kyle
David Janzen (g'90), Ph.D., Tabor College President
“In a long tradition of outstanding Tabor faculty, Dr. Richard Kyle will be remembered as one of the greats. In his 41 years at Tabor, “Doc” Kyle taught thousands of students in History courses, led hundreds of students on international trips, and published dozens of scholarly works. He was revered as one of Tabor’s most prolific and respected scholars. He was also recognized as a football player and coach who briefly made it to the NFL.”
Frank Johnson, Ph.D., Tabor College Provost
“Doc Kyle was a quintessential professor: he would take his notes to class and then seldom use them, simply speaking from the wealth of wisdom he had collected over the years. He was tough yet fair to students; he also was quick to engage them in the hallway or at events. Doc Kyle helped influence two generations of students. The world is a better place for his work and service at Tabor College.”
Jules Glanzer (g'74), Ph.D., Tabor College President Emeritus
“I had the honor to be at Tabor when Doc Kyle began and when he completed his service. I was a student at Tabor when Dr. Richard Kyle joined the faculty. I was president when he retired. I took two courses from Doc, History of Christianity and History of Christianity in America. I still have the primary textbook from both of these courses. Both courses were so interesting and enlightening to me. My understanding of Christianity expanded as he taught the history and movements of the Christian faith. Doc Kyle was a great storyteller. With his hands and facial expressions, he brought history alive to us. The impact of these courses was part of the trajectory change in my life from farming to vocational ministry. As president, I would pass him walking to work as he completed his daily walk around Hillsboro each morning. I appreciated the insightful, respectful, and supportive conversation I was privileged to have with him. He was diplomatic, focused, and analytical. I liked how as a historian he thought about the future. He was a historian who believed in the consummation of history. At his retirement reception, I had the privilege to thank him publicly for his incredible influence on hundreds of students. Most remember him for his Interterm trips to Europe. Many remember him for his interesting courses. Some remember him for the insightful books he wrote. I will remember him as a distinguished scholar, professor, and influencer.”
Susan (Franz g'84) Koslowsky, Chair of Tabor College Board of Directors
“Doc Kyle truly was a fixture on Tabor’s campus and so passionate about teaching. I was a Freshman at Tabor and taking a class from him over Interterm, January 1981. He and his wife joined Jonah Kliewer and the concert choir as we toured Europe…13 countries in 30 days! Doc Kyle added historical and Biblical perspectives as we traveled through Europe and took photos at every turn. I remember him switching film in his camera from slides to prints…as the “slides were for educational purposes”. Doc Kyle was legendary. He leaves behind decades of students whose lives he impacted and will help carry on that legacy.”
Lyndon Vix (g'82), Tabor College Board Emeritus
“As a social science major at Tabor College from 1978-82, I took every class taught by Doc Kyle, plus a couple of independent studies. Through all that interaction, I can’t really say that we became “close”—that wasn’t really his nature—but certainly we did become familiar. There was no one I respected more, and even long after graduation I could not call him anything but “Doctor Kyle.” Along with Jonah Kliewer and Randy Basinger, Doc Kyle was among the three professors at Tabor who made the biggest impact on my life. In January 1981, I was among a Tabor group of mostly choir members who toured Europe (first trip) during Interterm. Jonah led the tour and Doc Kyle and Joyce went along. He, of course, made many subsequent trips to Europe, becoming a skilled leader in his own right. I am pleased that two of my kids took Europe trips led by Doc Kyle. After graduation, I would see Doc occasionally on campus and he would always ask how my law practice was going. He took pride in seeing his social science majors succeed in their chosen fields. He briefly served as a faculty representative on the Tabor Board of Directors while I was Chair. I will admit that I never got comfortable sitting at the head of the table and calling on him when he raised his hand. Looking back, it still feels wrong.”
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Established in 1908 and located in Hillsboro, Kan., Tabor College is a liberal arts college affiliated with the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.