The lights went out at Bob's Café on September 10, 2018 when Robert Joseph Lyons died at the age of 97 years old, the last of his immediate family to die.  For many years, Bob's Café was an historical hallmark for Sioux Falls; at one time known as the oldest restaurant in the same location for more than 65 years: 1312 West 12th Street.  During the years, Bob and Ima ran a café known for its wit, delicious chicken and friendly atmosphere.

Robert Joseph Lyons was born August 13, 1921 near Keyapaha, (Tripp County) South Dakota, to Dennis Bernard Lyons and Beatrice (Peshek). His siblings were Jim, Angela, Bill, Marge, Dick and Kathryn Lyons who all preceded him in death.

As a child, he attended rural school in Tripp County and later attended Springfield Normal School for three years to become a teacher. After college and a short stint at teaching, he entered World War II as a Navy medic, serving in Okinawa after the Japanese invasion.

In 1952, Bob Lyons and Ima Ristesund married and raised a family of three children:  Rockie, (Portland, Oregon) Greg (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and Rhonda (deceased).

Returning from the WWII, Bob worked for the Nickel Plate and started Bob's Café in 1951 which was a hamburger restaurant until Bob started selling broasted chicken which was a smashing success. Over the years, Bob was a strong leader within the community and at one time the president of the South Dakota Restaurant Association; he was also a member of Faith Temple and later Central Baptist Church.  In 1981, Bob led a successful effort to repeal a restaurant and hotel tax to the surprise of Sioux Falls city leaders.

Preceded in death by his daughter, Rhonda who died a tragic death in 1981 and Ima, his wife, who died of leukemia in 2003, Bob is survived by two children: Rockie and Greg, four grandchildren: Heather, Peter, Kim and Krystal (New Mexico); five great grandchildren: Jasmine, Hana, Kai, Zoey and Dakota, all living in the Pacific Northwest.

A celebration of Bob's life is scheduled for October 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Central Church (formerly known as Central Baptist Church), 3102 W. Ralph Rogers Rd., Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.