Tribute to Clifford S. Lyon '10

Occasionally there comes to light the story of some Dartmouth man who has done a lifetime of good in his community—a man who has given generously of his time, thought and money to make his city a better place in which to live and to raise youth to their fuller responsibilities of this present day civilization.

Such is the story of the late Clifford S. Lyon of the Class of 1910, whose philosophy of life was richly inclusive, whose deeds and thoughts were genuinely human, as told in the following editorial from the Holyoke (Mass.) Transcript-Telegram:

Holyoke was stunned when on the weekend afternoon the news of the death.of Atty. Clifford S. Lyon swept over the city. There was none among us who was of greater usefulness in this city, the warp and woof of which is based on industry, made secure, within and under the law. Mr. Lyon was one of the great leaders among us in that field.

He brought a brilliant conception of law and life itself to his daily service for Holyoke. He had a rich philosophy of life: From his early days he put it into action. He comprehended community service. There was no form of the widening of civic effort understanding that did not find "Cliff" Lyon working out foremost, never letting the world know very much what power he was bringing to the force for a finer city, in all of its aspects.

It could well be said that he had a heritage in the high field of a Christian conception of democracy. To him it meant that all men should try, and were bound to work together, for the common good-. That was what his father preached and brought to definite reality here in Holyoke.

Holyoke was for a longer time than he could hope to count a better and richer city because Rev. John Lyon tried hard to make our city aspire to that ideal where

"Right thru thy streets with silver sound. The living waters flow, And on the banks, on either side, The trees of Life do grow."

He helped to make some of those trees grow. In a very practical way, because he was literally trained in those streets, the son did try to make the trees of life grow more abundantly.

He had done a great deal of the down-to-the-ground service that leads to such attainments. He was willing, in his turn and time, to take the political tasks which mean so very much in our way of life. He worked with our social agencies, directly and personally. He advanced the great projects we have in mind now for a fairer city and for a finer life for the people. It is important in this changing world that men like Clifford Lyon should be willing to give their talents to guide the change without checking the heritage that should be preserved.

In his personal life Clifford Lyon built for himself a veritable "happy harbor." His marriage gave him a balance in life. The serenities and definite zeal of his wife made the brilliant aims and attacks of Mr. Lyon surer of attainment. The way of life in the Lyon home has ever been generous. It enfolded a rich family life, but it opened its doors to the Holyoke that was never left outside.

No call has gone unanswered to whatever knocked at the door. The diversions of the family were healthy and fine. Education, which was the heritage of the parents flowed along to the sons and daughters. When war came the whole family shared in it—the sons and sons-in-law to the far parts of the world, but always coming back to the home and its garden—whether it was on Madison Ave. or perched on a Vermont hilltop.

Together Mr. and Mrs. Lyon found growth and zest for life by wide and diversified reading in modern and classic literature. They kept lighting new fires to add to the glow of their college torches. He drew from Dartmouth and Columbia and she was Mount Holyoke. Such a background builds strength into the press that modern life places upon those who work in it.

With us in Holyoke it meant asking more and more of the brilliant lawyer, taking more and more from his powers and building something of it into ourselves. Usefulness has been defined as "Value in the hands of the valiant."

That is why the death of Clifford Lyon, Christian gentleman, is so grave a loss to the community. He expressed indeed the valiant man who held usefulness in his hands.