William Robert Eyl, who preferred to be called Bill, died at TRU Hospice Care Center in Longmont, Colorado, on November 5, 2022.
Born in the Bronx NY, on February 22, 1941, Bill spent his early years in New Haven CT, grew to early adulthood in Hialeah FL, and lived most of his adult life in Berthoud, Colorado.
Bill’s life was rich and varied. Bill’s love of animals, especially dogs, began at a young age. As a high school student, he worked at a veterinary clinic and had dreams of becoming a vet himself. After high school, he attended Florida State University, where he met Lorraine Guglietta. Lorraine and Bill were married in Hollywood, Florida, on November 24, 1962.
Science became a passion when he worked as a research scientist in marine geology at the University of Miami, while also attending classes there at night. He received a degree in geology with a minor in chemistry from UM in 1969.
Soon after his graduation, Bill, Lorraine, and their young daughter, Jennifer, moved to Boulder, Colorado, after Bill was offered a job as an analytical chemist at Coors Porcelain. Their son, Eryc, was born in Boulder in 1971, and the couple moved to Berthoud, Colorado, a year later where they spent 50 years together.
From 1978 to 1986, Bill and Lorraine owned and operated the Pet Cove, a pet store and Longmont institution where he translated his lifelong love of animals into a career. Bill was also a beloved dog obedience trainer and behaviorist, helping dog lovers become better neighbors and pet parents. After selling the pet store, he obtained his teaching certificate and became a high school science teacher at Niwot and Longmont High Schools, where his booming voice is remembered fondly by students and colleagues. He retired in 1999.
In retirement, Bill was an active member and president of the Celiac Sprue Association, advocating for those with celiac disease, a condition with which he was diagnosed as an infant. He and Lorraine traveled extensively with their dog, and he cultivated his creative talents with woodworking, gourd art, and other artistic pursuits.
In June 2015, the house the Eyls had called home since 1972 was destroyed by a tornado while the couple, both in their 70s at the time, and their dog, Duffy, were home. The couple and Duffy managed to escape unharmed and, within a year, they moved into a new home on the same beloved piece of earth.
Bill loved our planet, his property, lifelong learning, meeting new people, his animals – including dogs, exotic birds, tropical fish, ducks, geese, cows, pigs, horses, turkeys, rabbits, ferrets, and even a raccoon – and, of course, his family. Bill and Lorraine were married for nearly 60 years when he passed. Bill spoke with pride and enthusiasm to anyone who’d listen about his children, Jennifer (Denver CO) and Eryc (Longmont CO), his daughters-in-law, Maggie Martin-Eyl and Mare Trevathan, and his grandchildren, Sophia Eyl and Joseph Lee. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn Lilienfeld Eyl and Charles Eyl, and brother, Kenneth Eyl (Bonnie).
Though Bill struggled with several medical challenges throughout his life, he never let them define him, and hardly let them slow him down. His zeal for life and love for his family–along with the support of loving friends, as well as countless doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals–powered him through countless crises until his death.
Bill’s family knows that he touched many lives, and encourages those who wish to honor him to donate in his name to Tru Community Care, Berthoud Rural Alternative For Transportation, or the Longmont Humane Society. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Mr. Eyl Was one of my favorite teachers. I loved science, but chemistry was one course that really challenged me, but he succeeded in making the struggle so much fun. He was a wonderful person and will be missed by many.
Lorraine, So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing, Prayers for Peace and Comfort are on the way to all of you on the Wings of Angels.
It was an honor to know Bill for all these years, going back to the Pet cove days…Bill was definitely a one of a kind…no one quite like Bill, once you met bill , you would never forget that voice and laughter…
Loads of Love to all your family….
Glenn and Jan Hillburn
Claremore, Oklahoma
You Sir will be missed!
I always loved Mr. Eyl, and have such fond memories of him from high school chemistry! I know he’ll be missed by so many.
Mr. Eyl was my favorite teacher. Chemistry and Biology would not have been the same without him. He touched so many lives and I am truly blessed to have gotten to know him. He will be missed.
It was an honor to know him and be one of this students at Longmont High School. He will be so missed!
Lorraine & family, I am so sorry to hear of Bills passing. I have great memories when we worked together at Niwot High School.. he was a very special man. God’s Blessings. Marilyn Jackson.
I am sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I enjoyed working with Bill and it was obvious he had deep feelings concerning the education of young people. I have had the opportunity meet and work with a lot of people, some very special. Bill was special.
I have the fondest memories of High School chemistry because of Mr Eyl. He truly knew how to engage his students and I know he made a lasting impact on all of us. He will be greatly missed.
Lorraine, I worked many summers in summer school with Bill and also at Niwot High School. Loved that he always had the coffee made at 6am during the summer. He was such a kind and gracious man. God’s blessings to yiu and your family Today, Tomorrow, and always.
Peggy Pfannenstiel
I took several dog obedience classes from Bill through the years. He did wonders with my wayward Airedales. He was a wonderful teacher, and such a nice man. Lorraine and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. He will be remembered. He made a difference.
Cindi and I were so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. We look back fondly to more than 40 years ago when Zales moved us to Longmont, and among the first friends we made were those wonderful people that ran the pet store down the mall! (I saw the pictures posted with his obituary; I still remember the hand lettered sign behind Bill and Joker!)
Through all those years, the obedience classes for all of the dogs we kept acquiring, our kids years at LHS, all the great memories. I still occasionally shudder at the memory of Bill the trapeze artist, hand-over-hand, traversing the ceiling beams in Horizon Park, Christmas lights in his teeth, discovering how much dust was up there, but continuing on!
We are truly honored to have known Bill and Lorraine and to cherish the memories of a wonderful man. Bill was a good guy; we’re truly blessed and proud to be able to say we knew him. He will be missed.
Think of all of the angels with tails who barked Bill into Heaven! My warmest condolences to Lorraine and family on the loss of this wonderful man.
Mr. Eyl was a memorable teacher. His energy was infectious. I graduated in 1999, and now realize how lucky I was to know him and have him as a teacher. I remember giving him a hard time now and then and yet have the fondest of memories about his class. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Mr. Eyl made science fun and is remembered fondly.
Bill was truly special for those of us who knew him in the Celiac community
He was that early mentor for many us before gluten free became commonly known.
Lorraine and family thanks for sharing Bill with us.
Bill was my role model, colleague and friend. From having first met him when he introduced me to Joker at the pet shop, to the many good years as a teaching colleague, he led the way on how to live life with enjoyment and dignity. He was a role model who made me a better teacher.
A dear and special friend. I will truly miss him.
Lorraine,
What a tender time this is for you and your family. I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I hope your many, many memories of the good times will give you and your children comfort.
Mr. Eyl was the reason I graduated high school. I was pregnant at the time and he knew his class was something I needed to pass in order to graduate and he helped me with that. I was not great at science. I graduated, and went on to raise my son. I will never forget with Mr. Eyl did for me. I’m so sorry I never got to than him personally.
Lorraine and Family, My thoughts are with you during this difficult time of transition to life without Bill. May the memories of all the care and concern he had for both man and beast ease your journey.
Dear Lorraine & family,
I am SO very sorry to hear about the loss of Bill, my former Longmont High colleague and friend. I moved to Arvada in 2012, so I get the Longmont news late. Bill was such a pillar in every area of his life. The fond recognitions by his former students confirms this. He had such a positive impact on so many lives. I used to see him at the chemo center in Longmont, rather hear him, with his booming voice, encouraging others through their health journeys. TRULY a blessing to many. Love you Lorraine. May your many fond memories sustain all of you during this time of grief. LOVE the photos.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Joanne Nirschl
I have worked at a local hospital for many years and had occasion to see Bill many times. He always put a smile on my face! I remembered him from his pet store! He was such a kind, delightful human and I feel blessed for having known him. Very saddened at his passing. To his wife and family, I wish you peace and love. Pam Windell
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I met Bill when I worked at the Recreation Department and he was the dog obedience instructor. I knew he was special when I realized we were both Bassett lovers. We’re a rare breed. Over the years our paths would cross and he never forgot who I was and I, of course, could never forget such a wonderful person. We are truly honored to have had our lives touched by Bill.
My late husband and I both had Mr Eyl as a teacher at different times. I remember him telling great stories about his birds. I was reminded of him today while looking at my late husband’s phone. He had a note to reach out and connect with Bill Eyl on his home page so I decided to look Mr Eyl up and found this sad news. Sadly, Todd passed on December 8th, unaware that Mr Eyl proceeded him a month earlier. I like to think they’re somewhere where they can talk all the science they want together now. Much love to Mr Eyl’s family.