February 19, 2025

I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Don’s passing almost 1 year ago. I always enjoyed the family visits and getting to know my cousins Kenny, Rob, & Rick. I was strengthened by Uncle Don’s last visit to Bloomfield CT to attend my Mom’s funeral. I hope he passed in comfort and peace. It is not easy nor is it easy  to become the elders in the family. I hope your memories bring each of you comfort and joy.
Chris Barnard Castaldi

March 08, 2024

Dear Tyrrell family,
My name is Kristen McKee Gay and I graduated from F&M in 1991. Prof Tyrell taught the very first class I had at F&M – Intro to Psych. I came to F&M convinced that I was going to be a lawyer, but right away that class changed my trajectory and I ended up majoring in psychology and eventually got a PhD in psychology – much of which I credit to my professors at F&M and especially Prof Tyrrell for making me fall in love with the discipline.
Prof Tyrrell had a personality that was bigger than life! He was fun and engaging and made everything more interesting. I remember fondly the time he took us white water rafting. It was so so fun and we laughed all day. I also will never forget the night he had us spend the night at Embreeville. It was eye opening to see the patients and to learn about their challenges. Prof Tyrrell was amazing with them! He spoke to everyone and really made them feel like they matter. I always will appreciate that about him. When he was with you, he was truly present and made you feel special.
He taught me an important lesson in college. I had to work hard to do well at F&M. I panicked before one of his tests and ended up not being able to sit for it at the time he gave it. I sheepishly went into his office later and told him I had panicked. In his amazing way to connect with students, he gave me a hug and chuckled. Then he told me he would much rather see me get Bs and have a life rather than study and worry all the time. I cherished that message and honored him for his grace and wise life advice.
Tyrrell family, you are in my heart! He was one of the special ones. I hope your cherished memories help you through this difficult time. He was one of a kind! What a neat legacy. 
With respect and condolences,
Kristen

March 06, 2024

Dear Tyrrell Family,
My name is Barry Kornhauser and I was a student at Franklin & Marshall College from 1970-1974.  I took more classes with Dr. Tyrrell than with any other professor – and that was not only because he was an amazing teacher, but because he was an amazing human being, one that I was deeply grateful to learn from and to know.  I began my years at the college as a Psychology major with a special interest in child behavior and development.  I could not have found a better mentor – and I dare say friend.  Dr. Tyrrell guided me through so many academic projects, always enriching those experiences, while making them exciting and, well, fun!  Being a student in the “hippy” days, I ended up wanting to expand my horizons and move beyond the realm of the Whitely Labs that was monopolizing all of my time and attention.  But I absolutely didn’t want to let go of Don Tyrrell!  With his support I became a Special Studies Major – combining Psychology with Anthropology and Education, while fooling a bit with Theater.  Being able to design my own course of study and allowed to name it – I became the sole F&M major at the time of “Child Development & Behavior.” Who do you think was the inspiration for that?!   Adding courses from those other academic disciplines, I was able to take what I learned from Professor Tyrrell and apply it to such areas as cross-cultural child rearing techniques and the practice of teaching young children.  Even though I was letting go of my Psych major, albeit with some reluctance and sadness, Dr. Tyrrell still agreed to remain my advisor.  That is more of a gift than you might know because academic departments tend to be a bit territorial, and don’t especially like it when one of their students “goes astray.”  I found myself happily in the highly supportive hands of Donald Tyrrell who never failed to encourage me while also never failing to challenge me.  I think both his teaching and his guidance were what was largely responsible for me being welcomed into Phi Beta Kappa.  After some time working as a schoolteacher, my path took me in another direction, but one in which my studies with Professor Tyrrell proved most meaningful – creating theater specifically for young audiences.  It’s what I still do today, applying what I learned in his classroom to my artistic projects (as well as with my work with children at Millersville University. Whether in the schoolhouse or on the stage, it would always be kids, and that was all because of Donald Tyrrell.  His memory will remain an enduring blessing to me.  I hope and expect it will for you, too.

March 05, 2024

Sorry to read of the loss of your father.  It is never easy to lose a parent, and a second one at that, no matter what the age or circumstance.  I remember Don’s ready smile and his every summer project.  I had a good awareness of it being a next-door neighbor on President Avenue!  Condolences.
Sandy Frey

March 04, 2024

We were sorry to read of Don’s passing. We knew him from decades of paddling whitewater together where he coordinated many memorable trips on the “Yough”for the Lancaster Canoe Club as well as paddling on many whitewater streams. He taught our 3 sons to paddle in ACA Canoe courses. He and “Mick” we’re so enjoyable to be with as we all discovered another way to view the world on our paddling trips, camping adventures, and club activities. Every memory brings a smile for us. We hope you will find great comfort in all of your memories too.
Geoff and Judy Petrasek

March 04, 2024

The Landis Homes Voluteer Office wishes to share our heartfelt condolences for the loss of dear Don.  We are so grateful for the time he offered to us in service as a shuttle driver and friend to all here at Landis.  Thank you Tyrell family for sharing him with us and we wish your many blessings as you remember the amazing person Don was in life.
~Moniqua Acosta

March 03, 2024

Rob ,Kim, I met your father years ago at a dental office I worked at. Later I met him again at Hans Herr Elementary school teaching Para educators first aid and CPR for a certificate towards certification. I could tell he was an amazing educator and very kind hearted. Praying for your whole family🙏🏻🙏🏻
Ann Laukhuff

March 03, 2024

So sorry to hear this news.  As the former Director of Volunteer Services, Don served his Landis Homes resident community as a faithful volunteer shuttle driver. I will always remember his big smile and unique chuckle/ laugh as evidenced by the newspaper photo you chose.  He was unafraid to voice/write his viewpoints addressing various social and political issues when he differed from the supposed status quo.   Blessings as you grieve and adjust to life without his physical presence – but remember too the happy times he and your mother shared as part of your family.  
Sue Shirk

March 03, 2024

We enjoyed many weekends (and a lot of laughs!) paddling with Don. He was a great instructor and a dear friend. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Joyce & Ray Wimer

March 03, 2024

Professor Tyrrell was a fantastic pyschology teacher.  It was a privilege to be one of his students at F & M. Frederick B Benson

March 01, 2024

Dear Rick, Rob, and Ken,
 
I am so grateful to have known your father. Over a period of more than 50 years, he taught me to love learning, especially psychology and white-water rafting; he later served as a leader for me and our faculty colleagues at F&M; and throughout the decades, he stood tall as a role-model for living well with strength and kindness.
 
I first met Professor Tyrrell in the spring of 1968 when I visited Franklin & Marshall as a ’prospective’ student. My campus tour wound up in his office on the 3rd floor of Stahr Hall for a delightfully surprising encounter. Professor Tyrrell was friendly and cheerful and an engaging enthusiast for F&M’s version of psychology as a “natural science,” learned best through hands-on experience. I’d never heard of such an approach! Part way through our conversation, a bleary-eyed senior stopped in to drop off his advanced research thesis. I was astonished! And smitten. It was a good day.
 
My first meeting with Don Tyrrell shaped the rest of my life. I thank him for helping me realize that I’d much rather go to F&M than to Penn. (Smart choice!) Then, as my teacher and academic advisor, he helped me acquire the knowledge and skillset that grounded my career in psychological science. Some years later, I had the unexpected opportunity to return to F&M as Don’s colleague in teaching and research. That experience afforded me countless lessons on how to be a good parent, professor, and citizen. I am so grateful to this teacher, advisor, colleague, and friend for adding such zest to my life.
 
Though I will miss hearing his joyful laughter, I will always carry fond memories of Don Tyrrell’s extraordinary strength and good spirit, with heartfelt gratitude for his friendship.
 
— Fred Owens (F&M ’72)

March 01, 2024

I enjoyed several canoe and camping trips with Don and Mickey when we were all younger.  They were always positive and upbeat and Don, especially,  had the biggest smile. He saved my life when he pulled me out from under the raft after I had fallen out over a large wave.  Of course he laughed.   I miss them both.  Please accept my condolences.
Debbie Owens

February 28, 2024

Marti are saddened to hear about our friend and neighbor. We are out of town and have not been keeping as close touch as we should have. Don was a funny intelligent man who would do anything for you. Will miss the thought of him riding his bike all over lancaster county and more recently riding around the campus of Landis homes in his electric chair. Even though we knew he was failing, it is still a shock. It was nice that his kids got to visit and clean out his apartment before he went to personal care. Marti and I will sincerely miss him.
Martha and Robert McKinley

February 28, 2024

Don was always one of my favorite residents to tax. He was always a pleasure even when he didn’t feel well. So sorry for your loss he will truly be missed. Lana Conestoga House nurse