David Lyons Obituary

Paul Pierce
I was amazed that Dave continued to be mentally sharp while his body declined. We had a number of normal conversations .

I am married to Amy's sister Lois.

o Dave and I spent a lifetime together, and it is difficult to reflect on it all.
o We were together through thick and thin as cliché as that sounds. Like all relationships we had our struggles, but we always managed to work though and tried to talk things out, often agreeing to disagree.
o We were very different people with different interests. He loved playing music, acting, mathematics, and Ancient Roman History. I had no aptitude in any of those. Yet we were friends and good companions.
o Dave did not have an easy childhood; our backgrounds were different, so were the relationships we had with our respective families. He did not understand my connection with my family; he disconnected from his. When we decided to marry, I flatly told him that if he wanted me my family was part of the package. He accepted that.
o Dave gave me so many gifts which I am forever grateful for, most of all our children Raye, Katie and her partner Brendt, and Joelle and her husband Dave, our grandsons Boden and Paxton, many dogs, and 1 cat. Our love for our family was something we very much had in common.
o I miss our companionship, scrabble games (we cheated and looked up words in advance, he won 99% of the time, I won a handful of games), Wednesday burrito night, holidays, birthdays.
o There will be a void, and it is a strange feeling, and emptiness I did not anticipate. I miss him so much.

I lived a few houses down from Dave on Santa Fe and anytime I needed to borrow something or was asking for a donation for something at my kid's school or a local shelter or for one of my foster son's he (And Amy!) were always so quick to offer something. I'll always remember him as being so generous. Love, Melissa

I met Dave Lyons around 2013 at a chamber music workshop at Mills College in Oakland. He invited me to join a new wind quintet he was forming, which in fact he named the New Quintet. I had only recently returned to playing my flute, and Dave´s encouragement gave a big boost to my musical development. I will always be grateful.
Dave was such a bright light in our rehearsals! Playing music with others obviously brought him joy. I remember him for his quick wit, his fine musicianship, and his gorgeous horn sound.

I didn't know Dave very well, just from a few Thanksgiving dinners with the family. He was a great Scrabble opponent!

I am a good friend of Amy´s so when she and Dave got married he `inherited´ me (and our other girlfriends). My most favorite memory of Dave is when I was visiting San Francisco and stayed with Amy and Dave for a couple of nights. Me and my husband were planning a trip to Champagne and had rented a large house so I asked Amy to join us. She wasn´t sure but Dave told her she should go and we were so glad that she came. It was a great vacation, we had so much fun. Dave couldn´t believe that you could drive your car onto a train that went under the English Channel to France - anyway we proved him wrong.
I am so glad that he encouraged Amy to come on vacation with us.

We are so sorry for Dave's passing and the hurt that leaves behind for his family. We remember fondly all the holidays we spent together -- Thanksgiving, Passover, and Hanukkah, sometimes at the Lyons's, occasionally at our house, and the walks at Tilden Park (with Amy, Dave, Katie, Raye, and various wolfhounds and greyhounds). They won't be the same without him.

Although I did not know Dave well I have a very nice memory of going hiking with him, Roberta and Amy. He was very welcoming and kind during my visit.

Such a kind generous friendly Gentleman!

Dave's 75th Birthday Party

We always enjoyed our time together, especially at Thanksgiving.

I had the privilege of playing chamber music with Dave for the last decade of his life, and what a joy it was! So many fun filled rehearsals, filled with classic Dave jokes- so many exciting performance opportunities. The memory which leaps out most often is the Brahms horn trio with my daughter Audrey on violin. We all felt that very deeply- it was something special.

After he stopped playing chamber music, he continued to play horn solo pieces with me (on piano) and those moments of ineffable musical communication were priceless.

We also bonded over books, history, linguistics and cake- as well as a shared appreciation of how precious families are. Amy, Katie, Raye, Joelle- he loved you all so much!

I miss him and treasure the memories of time shared. I do get up to Sunset View fairly often and look forward to bringing him his favorite chocolate shake from Fatapple´s.

Amy and family, you put together the best and most perfect service to honor this gifted and complex man. Thank you for asking me to read the poem- it felt exactly right.

Love,
Debbie Carton

Amy, We are so sorry to learn of Dave's passing, but we're so glad you let us know. We remember Dave vividly, his sense of humor, his sensitivity and his kindness. We remember his beautiful playing of the Brahms horn chamber music one evening. And of course we were all there when your children were born. Please stay in touch. Love, Susi and Tom

Amy, I wanted to let you know that I sympathize with your loss. While I never knew Dave, I know he must have been special because you are. Peace and Prayers.

May his memory be a blessing.

Thinking of you and missing you as Father's Day approaches. Father's Day will never be the same.

Happy Dave when New Quintet played in Mendocino.
We will deeply miss our wonderful horn player.