Page 72 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2018- Online Magazine

Bobby G. Wyett
obby G. Wyett was born
in 1934 in Custer City,
BOklahoma. After his
parents divorced when he
was four years old, he lived
with his mother and, at times,
with seven different aunts and
uncles. As a result, he attended
six different schools prior to
junior high school and before
graduating from Custer High
School in 1952. He learned
adaptability and appreciation
of the good in his life while he
simultaneously learned to let go
of disappointments. He spent his
leisure time in sports, camping
and Boy Scouts.
His initial teacher education
at Southwestern Oklahoma
State University (SWOSU) in
Weatherford, Oklahoma was
interrupted after two years by the
military. He took basic training
at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas,
then had specialized training in
communications
at Ft. Gordon,
Georgia. His
active duty
tour was spent
at Schofield
Barracks, Hawaii,
where his
aptitude for doing
his best, along
with his loyalty to
his fellow soldiers
72 Lubbock Senior Link
Teaching by Example
by Katherine McLamore and Hugh Wilson
and to his country, developed
more fully. He also learned
commitment to something bigger
than himself, embracing the
philosophy of service over self as
he served out his tour.
After active duty, he returned
home to continue teacher
education at SWOSU, while also
serving in the US Army Reserves.
He received a direct commission
in 1961. Bobby served in various
positions of responsibility in
the Reserves from 1961 until he
retired at the rank of major in
1982.
He met his wife of 61 years on
her 18th birthday at a drugstore
in Thomas, Oklahoma. During
their time in SWOSU, they
married and completed their
educations. His first job was
as a math teacher in Guymon,
Oklahoma.
In 1965, he earned his master’s
degree from Oklahoma State
University, enhancing his career
as an educator. His reputation
for instilling strong character
and good academic skills in his
students continued to grow.
One highlight of his career in
education was the dedication of
the 1974 Lubbock High School
annual in his honor. He wrapped
up his 33-year career in education
as an LISD administrator. After
retirement, he and his wife JoAnn
completed the goal of playing
golf in all 48 contiguous states in
the union.
Their family now includes
three living children and
spouses, six grandchildren,
three grandchildren-in-law
and four great-
grandchildren. A
special moment
in Major Wyett’s
life was pinning
the blue braid on
grandson Stephen
Wyett’s uniform
upon completion
of basic training.
When Bob went
on the Honor Flight with his
son Paul, his favorite site was
the Korean War Memorial. Its
purpose is to recognize each
person who served and the
contribution they made during
that conflict. Mail call (a regular
part of each Honor Flight, in
which veterans receive letters
from family, friends and others)
was filled with many expressions
of respect and love for Bob Wyett.
Words like, “salt of the earth”,
“honest”, “a great role model”,
and “patriotic” were accurately
used.
But one description stood out:
“someone who teaches by
example”. It is something Bob
does regularly. In fact, he has
taken each grandchild with
him, at various times, when he
delivers Meals on Wheels. At the
end of one route, a grandchild
looked up at him and said,
“Granddad, it just makes you
feel really good inside to do this,
doesn’t it?”
His extended military experience
is an important factor in Bob’s
intentional legacy of love and
commitment to God, family, and
community. He serves as deacon
and Stephen Minister at Second
Baptist Church in Lubbock, and
has volunteered over the years
in support of Meals on Wheels,
Family Promise, St. Benedict’s
kitchen, South Plains Food Bank,
and Habitat for Humanity,
and as a hospice volunteer
visiting veterans. His is a life of
optimism, kindness, and wisdom
shared at every opportunity. He
exemplifies our best veterans.
You may contact Bob Wyett
bwyett1@hotmail.com