Humans of Renfrew:
Lyle Herrod
Born and raised in
Calgary, Lyle has always called Calgary his first home. He now lives in Renfrew
with his wife. He is a proud community member, currently retired and involved
with more than twenty organizations as a volunteer.
Lyle lived in
Calgary and Toronto until his early twenties, when he joined the Canadian Armed
Forces as an artillery officer. For Lyle, joining the military was something he
was genuinely interested in. He enjoyed the people and the sense of purpose. At
that time, it felt like the right career move and was the right place to be.
Over the next
several decades, he lived in nine provinces and two of Canada’s territories and
served across Canada and overseas in Europe. His postings included bases in
Chilliwack, Gagetown NB, Petawawa ON, Gagetown again, Valcartier QC, Ottawa ON,
Shilo MB, Brantford ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, Gande NL, and Goose Bay NL. He
was also deployed overseas on NATO missions and on UN peacekeeping missions. The
experiences were exceptional, and the friendships made along the way are ones
he still holds close. But military life also meant constant movement. It meant
accepting the risks that come with the profession. More than anything, it
taught him the importance of the people around him. “You rely on each
other,” he says. “That’s how the military works. You build strong
friendships because sometimes people don’t come back. It can be a dangerous
job.”
After Lyle retired
from the Army, he worked for Emergency Management BC for five years. Of all the
places he lived, British Columbia left the deepest impression. BC taught Lyle
how beautiful and scary nature can be at the same time. The fast-changing
climate was also a powerful experience for him. While living in the Okanagan in
BC, Lyle and his family faced many months of severe weather events like overland
flooding and wildfires, which reached a few hundred metres from his home. These
regular adverse experiences became the push they needed to come back to Alberta,
home.
Back in Alberta,
he and his wife settled first in Carstairs. They eventually found their way to
Renfrew. They were drawn by its central location and its neighbourhood feel. It
is close to everything yet tucked into a quiet corner of the city, close to
hospitals, amenities, and services that they wished to be closer to as a retired
couple. A month after returning to AB, Lyle suffered a major stroke. Recovery
was long, but the community, his family, resiliency, and the amazing caregivers
and health professionals held him through it. Today, he has recovered and now volunteers
at the Dr. Vernon Fanning Neuro Centre on 16 Ave, just North of Renfrew, a few
times per week, helping fellow stroke survivors. Giving back in the most
personal way he knows how.
For Lyle,
community has always mattered deeply. Having lived on bases, in towns, and
across landscapes most Canadians will never see, he understands what makes a
place feel like one. He says that everyone is going through something and may
have had different circumstances in life, but they are no better or worse than
you. Treating people with a bit of common respect and kindness, and generally,
you will receive the same.
He has carried
that belief across every community he has ever belonged to. In Renfrew, he
loves taking walks, seeing familiar faces, and also volunteering in the
community. After a lifetime spent serving in uniform and in the community, Lyle
has come to believe that the most meaningful things are also the most ordinary.
A neighbour who waves. A street you can walk. A place where people still look
out for one another. If you see Lyle in the neighbourhood, say hi.
Thank you for
taking the time to read our new series, Humans of Renfrew. Share your story,
your neighbour’s story, or the story of inspiring community members with Humans
of Renfrew. Contact Titash Choudhury at [email protected] to nominate.
Stay tuned for
next month’s issue!
Click here to the Renfrew Community News home page for the latest Renfrew community updates.
