College Mourns Loss of Polk State’s “#1 Fan”

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

Words alone can not express the grief the Polk State family feels. Dean Lyle will not be forgotten, and his family and loved ones remain in our hearts…

Charles (“Charlie”) Norman Lyle II (August 21, 1969 – May 1, 2011), a resident of Winter Haven, Florida, lost his battle with cancer. Charlie was born and raised in South Florida and graduated from Miramar High School in 1987. He received an Associate’s Degree from Broward College, Bachelor’s Degree from Florida International University, and Master’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University. He was a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Florida at the time of his passing. Charlie started his career in higher education as a student worker at Broward College, where he was promoted to Director of Student Life; he ended his tenure at Broward College as an Associate Dean of Students. Charlie spent his last five years at Polk State College as the Dean of Student Affairs, where he was described by the college’s president as “the heart and soul of Polk State College and the best role model I have ever seen.”

Charlie was one of two children born to Charles Norman Lyle I and Nancye Batista and was the beloved husband of Patricia Sullivan for over fifteen years. Charlie will forever be remembered by his beloved children Donna Lyle, 11, Jonathan Lyle, 9, and Veronica Lyle, 8, loving sister Samantha Graveline (Chris), caring sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Kevin Stalter, treasured niece and nephews, Amanda Alvarez, Brent Stalter and Dylan Stalter, attentive step-mother Sharon Lyle, along with countless other family and friends who were blessed to know him.

Charlie enjoyed camping with family and friends, attending college sporting events and fantasy football. He was a licensed foster parent, and he was involved in his community through Toys for Tots, YMCA and Relay for Life. Earlier this year he was honored by Polk State as “#1 Fan” and was present for his induction into the Ring of Honor at the halftime of a basketball game. Charlie touched the lives of many people through encouraging words and inspiration, and he maintained his trademark sense of humor to the end.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at Polk State College’s Student Center, 999 Ave., H NE Winter Haven, FL. The service will be officiated by Kevin Stalter, joined by Larry Mattacchione, Paul Wallace, Nathan Mattacchione, and Carlos Parra. A reception will be held at Polk State College immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Charles Lyle scholarship funds at Polk State College Foundation, 999 Ave., H NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881; Broward College Foundation, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; or University of Florida Foundation, P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604; or to Moffitt Cancer Center, 12903 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612; Good Shepherd Hospice of Polk County, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL.