Herbert "Herb" Lester Tyson III

Dr. Herbert Lester Tyson III, 66, of Martinsburg, WV and Alexandria, VA, departed this world to walk in the next on September 15, 2018 at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, MD after losing his courageous battle with Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Herb was born on November 9, 1951 in Norfolk, Virginia, to Lois Askew Tyson and Herbert L. Tyson, Jr. and moved to Alexandria, VA in 1961.  Herb completed his undergraduate degree at Georgetown University, and his multidisciplinary Masters and Ph.D. at Michigan State University.  Herb worked as a labor economist until retirement; he was the author of several computer books and a recipient of multiple Microsoft MVP awards. Herb was also a published singer/songwriter with a studio album under his name. Herb was an active and much loved member of Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church. After the death of his daughter, Herb and his late first wife, Karen, established the Katie Tyson Fund, which is dedicated to promoting leadership among Unitarian Universalist youth and young adults. The fund supports scholarships, grants, and programs for youth and young adult projects, conferences, outreach, and more.

In addition to his parents, Herb was preceded in death by his only child, Katherine Anne Windau Tyson, and his first wife, Karen Windau Tyson.

Herb is survived by his wife of 1-1/2 years, Julie L Tyson, of Martinsburg, WV, a sister, Sharon Tyson Blackwell, of Alexandria, VA, two stepchildren, Tara CK Montague of Roanoke, VA, and Dylan J Kontra, of Shepherdstown, VA, six beloved nieces, Corinna Barr of Lexington, NC, Cathryna Brooke of Ft. Washington, PA, Jennifer Blackwell of Alexandria, VA, Christine Blackwell of Manassas, VA, Jennifer Windau Cunningham of Drexel Hill, PA, and Grace Windau of Sandusky, OH, four nephews, Tom Tyson, Jr. of Manassas, VA, Mike Tyson of Fredericksburg, VA, David Tyson of Gloucester, VA, and Nicholas Windau of Sandusky, OH, daughter-in-law, Rev. Liz Weber, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Herb’s life will be at 1 p.m. September 29, 2018, at Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307, with Rev. Dr. Kate Walker presiding. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Katie Tyson Fund:  https://www.uua.org/giving/areas-support/funds/tyson-fund.

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