Harvey Alan Pyle, 70, of Casa Grande, AZ, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019 at his home under Hospice Family Care, Inc. Harvey was born March 11, 1948 in Fargo, North Dakota to Harvey and Betty Jean Pyle. At age 5 his family moved to Bensenville, Illinois. A short time later they settled in Franklin Park, Illinois where Harvey graduated from East Leyden High School in 1966.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force, studied Minute Man Missile Targeting and Alignment, and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to North Dakota and married Marlyce McIntyre on June 13, 1970 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Casselton. After attending the University of North Dakota, they moved to the family farm west of Casselton in 1971 where he started his farming career, graduated from Moorhead Technical College in Diesel Mechanics and raised their two children.
In 2004 Harvey and Marlyce moved to Fargo to allow the next generation to live on the farm. He remained active in the farm business until his retirement in 2016. He and Marlyce moved permanently to Casa Grande, Arizona in 2017.
Harvey loved his family immensely, especially enjoying his grandchildren’s ball games, concerts and recitals. He was completely devoted to Marlyce, who made a great life for him. He served on many committees, organizations and boards; Gold Country Seed and Golden Growers Cooperative Boards were the most challenging and fulfilling for him.
His passion was skeet shooting, and in July 2017 Harvey was inducted into the North Dakota Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed music, science, bowling and hiking. Harvey and Marlyce enjoyed following University of North Dakota hockey, traveling to national parks, and playing cards and games with family and friends.
Harvey had a restless mind and body, and if he wasn’t maintaining or improving something around the yard then he was working on a Sudoku or explaining how something works to someone needing help. He was unfalteringly sweet, responsible, ethical, and capable. His positive attitude was ever present; the day the doctor informed him he had cancer he remarked “Well, at least now I know why my back hurts.
I’ve had 70 wonderful years and I enjoyed what I did every day”. He will be remembered for his good humor, quick smile, boundless energy, and selfless commitment to improving everything around him. Harvey’s legacy will be carried on by those who survive him, his wife Marlyce, his children Jennifer Pyle and Nick (Brandy) Pyle, and his grandchildren Lily, Braiden, Amelia, Leighton and Soren, as well as his mother Betty Jean Pyle, his siblings Doris Heroff, Lester (Gwyn Cready) Pyle, Diane (Nick Cole) Pyle and Ernie (Becky) Pyle, his brother-in law Duane (Paula) McIntyre, and many nephews and one niece.
He was preceded in death by his father Harvey Aldrigh Pyle and his brothers-in-law Lloyd Heroff and Paul McIntyre. At Harvey’s request no services will be held. Private burial will be held at a later date.
Condolences and memories can be shared at westfuneralhome.com.
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