Robert Kyle

Dr. Robert A. Kyle, 98 years old, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on September 2nd, 2026. Robert was born on March 17,1928, in Bottineau, North Dakota, to parents Arthur and Mabel Kyle. Robert grew up on a farm, the eldest of 5 sons. He started school at age 5 in a one room schoolhouse. After graduating high school at age 16, he attended the Bottineau School of Forestry and finished his undergraduate studies at the University of North Dakota. He graduated from Northwestern University Medical School, completed his internship at Evanston Hospital, an internal medicine fellowship at Mayo Clinic, and a hematology fellowship at Tufts University in Boston. Education was important to Robert and his family. His studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force as a doctor in Anchorage, Alaska for 2 years. He was proud he spent 17 years studying upon graduation from high school, until he joined the staff full time as a physician at the Mayo Clinic in 1961. Robert spent his entire career at Mayo Clinic until his full retirement at age 95 in 2023.

Dr. Kyle was a Professor of Medicine, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. As a practicing hematologist for over 60 years, his clinical and research interests focused on monoclonal gammopathies, multiple myeloma, macroglobulinemia and amyloidosis. In 1963 Robert performed the first bone marrow transplant at Mayo on identical twin sisters who thrive to this day. He established the Dysproteinemia laboratory and clinic at Mayo. Patient care and positive outcomes were the driving force at the heart of his life work. He was fond of saying, "Every patient is different, every patient can teach the physician".

Robert lectured worldwide and has contributed over 1270 articles and book chapters as well as over 1570 abstracts to the literature, making him one of the most prolific authors at Mayo. He was a tireless educator; he has helped train over 200 practicing hematologists. Robert served as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Myeloma Foundation for over 30 years and was very active in the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation as well as multiple other hematological organizations.

Robert received countless awards and recognition over his extensive career. Among his proudest accomplishments was being the first recipient of both the American Society of Hematology Wallace H. Coulter Award and the David A. Karnofsky Award and Lecture. He received a Mastership from the American College of Physicians as well as their highest honor, the John Phillips Award. He was also awarded the Mayo Clinic's Henry S. Plummer Distinguished Internist Award, the Distinguished Clinician Award, and Distinguished Alumni Award.

Robert has been honored by four ongoing "named" lectureships and one Career Development Award which are as follows: Robert A. Kyle Investigator of the Year at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, Robert A. Kyle Award for Contributions to Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Myeloma Foundation, the Robert A. Kyle Award for Outstanding Clinician/Scientist, and the Robert A. Kyle Career Development Award from the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation.

Colleagues, patients, friends and his family know Robert as kind, humble, generous, curious and a man of great integrity. As a professional he developed a collaborative culture within his practice and mentored early career colleagues. As a family man he always put his family first. Outside of his career, he had many passions including extensive national and international travel, avid sports fan including the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, philately, museums, theater, reading the daily "funnies", photography and a lifelong passion for learning. Robert has been active with the First Presbyterian church during his life. He taught Sunday School for many years, served on the board of Trustees and on the Session.

He became interested in stamp collecting while recovering from an injury. His collection focused on blood transfusion and cancer stamps. For more than 60 years he and a Mayo colleague wrote vignettes about medical related stamps for JAMA and the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The collections were subsequently published in three books.

Robert is survived by Charlene, his best friend and wife of 72 years; his children, John Kyle (Emma Tilston), Mary Fredrickson (Jim), Barbara Kyle (Leffert George Tigelaar) and Juanita Kyle; nieces and nephews, his 5 grandchildren Eric Fredrickson (Molly), Sara Chalkley (Rob), Alex Fredrickson ( Megan), Anne Tigelaar (Jason Griffiths Johnson) and Marie Tigelaar and 9 great-grandchildren. His brothers, Donald Kyle (Judy) and David Kyle (Linda). He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William Kyle, Jack Kyle, and Juanita's husband, Stephen Miller.

The family would like to extend special gratitude to Renee Schwanke who supported Robert in his work at Mayo as well as in completing his memoir, A Physician's Journey. Additional thanks to the excellent staff at Charter House for providing compassionate care to Robert.

A memorial service will be held on October 3rd, 2026, 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church, (512 3rd St SW, Rochester, MN) with a time of visitation one hour prior to the service. A lunch reception will follow the service at the church. Please visit Ranfranz and Vine website to view his obituary. To view a livestream of Robert's memorial service please visit the First Presbyterian church youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@fpcrochestermn1264).

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to "Robert A Kyle, M.D. Hematologic Malignancies Fund" at Mayo Clinic. Please visit give.mayoclinic.org/drrobertkyle Select Dedicate my Donation and enter Dr. Robert Kyle and dedicate the gift "In Memory" or call 1-855-852-8129. Or gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church 512 Third Street SW Rochester, MN 55902.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Kyle family.