Dr. Richard Lytle, 74,of West Chester died peacefully on May 22, 2012. He is survived by his wife Jayne (Seastrom) Lytle, his son Christopher and daughter-in-law Chiaki; daughter Cynthia (Lytle) Miller; granddaughter Megan Miller; brother-in –law Dale Seastrom and sisters-in-law Karen Seastrom and Anita Thompson as well as several cousins and nephews. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Richard was the son of the late Harold and Margaret (Gumersell) Lytle. Dr. Lytle served as Dean of the College of Information Science and Technology and the Isaac L. Auerbach Professor of Information Systems at Drexel University from 1987 to 1998. Under his direction, the College implemented new programs in information systems and software engineering and improved programs in library and information science and information systems. Under his leadership, the online Master of Science in Information Systems was among the earliest and successful online degree programs. Prior to his tenure at Drexel University, Richard spent 17 years at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. As Director of the Office of Information Resource Management, he was responsible for modernizing the central computing systems, including telecommunications, and information technology. As the Archivist, he designed the first Guide to the Smithsonian Archives, making the Institution’s extensive written resources available to administrators and scholars. Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, he established information management programs at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and Rice University in Houston, Texas. Other positions included Director of the Oregon Master of Software Engineering and consultant to educational and corporate clients. He is the author of numerous papers, reports, and journal articles. Richard received his BA from Rice University, his MA from Washington University, and his MLS and Ph. D. degrees from the University of Maryland. Richard’s family will receive friends on Friday, June 1st, 9:45 to 10:15 A.M. at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 1325 Boot Road, West Chester , PA 19380 followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 AM . Donations in his memory may be made to Catholic Charities Appeal, c/o 222 North 17th St., Suite 708, Philadelphia 19103 or your favorite charity.