BYLER, Robert Newton

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, June 30, 2010, pg A-9 Robert Newton Byler was born on Jan. 24, 1920 at home in Durham Township near Dallas City, Ill., and he passed away on June 11, 2010 at home in Wickenburg. He is preceded in death by his parents Biard and Ruth Byler and by his wife Luella Jean Byler. He is survived by his daughter Pamela Byler Sallee; two grandchildren, James Christian Sallee and Amy Noelle Beal; and three great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Isaac Beal, and Sarah Grace Sallee. Robert graduated from LaHarpe High School in LaHarpe, Ill., and then continued his education with two years of college in Burlington, Iowa. He married his wife of 68 years, and the two farmed with Bob's Dad until 1956, when Mr. Byler's talents for inventing and working as a machinist came to be recognized. He invented a rotary lawn mower blade and began distributing them throughout the United States. He also built two die-casting machines, developed a heat-treating plant, did foundry work, and developed and manufactured parts for Schaeffer Pen Company. In 2006, at the age of 86, Bob had the cover story for "The Home Shop Machinist" magazine in a three-part series, covering three different issues on the surface grinder. In 2008, he was published again in the same magazine for an article on constructing a phase converter. Robert has been a member of the Wickenburg Gem and Mineral Club and was a member of the Christian Church. He enjoyed fishing and canoeing, woodworking, metalworking, rock hunting and photography along with keeping his computer skills updated and listening to music. He had many hobbies and interests in life that kept him young at 90 years of age. He will be missed by family and friends whom he loved and enjoyed so much. After cremation, the remains will be placed in the Durham Cemetery in Illinois with a graveside memorial service.