Paul R. Tyler

It is with profound sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of Paul R. Tyler, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri on May 30, 2023, at the age of 68 years. He passed away peacefully at home after a courageous fight.

Paul Tyler will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 33 years, Laura Petta, and his sisters, Marie Tyler U’Ren (Bill U’Ren), Paula J. Tyler and Carol R. Tyler Day (Robert D. Day, Jr.). He was preceded in death by his parents, R. Rita Tyler and Maj. Gen. Paul R. Tyler, USMC.

Paul was a lover of people, a lover of the arts and a lover of people in the arts. His inquisitiveness and keen intellect drove all his pursuits. Paul Tyler moved to Kansas City in 2001. He served in the KC arts community for 14 years as the grants director of the Arts KC-Regional Arts Council. In this role he worked to create links between individual artists and the organizations supporting them.

One collaboration that Paul took pride in was Artist INC, a seven-week workshop series launched in 2009 that teaches artists to become better at managing and promoting their business. This program has been adopted by many other states since. Prior to this, he was the former deputy director of Virginia Commission for the Arts and Administrative Director at the Valentine in Richmond, Virginia as well as the General Manager with the Richmond Ballet.

Paul was born in Barstow, CA when his parents were stationed there. He spent much of his early life moving (1.5 years) with Marine Corps finally reaching northern Virginia for the end of elementary school.

He graduated from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, VA and later returned to Bishop Ireton as a popular English teacher. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of Virginia. In his early career in theater he worked many summers and had various positions (actor, dancer, tech and stage manager) with The Lost Colony in Manteo, NC. At the Oregon Shakespeare Festival he was a carpenter and an actor.

Paul spent time in Richmond, VA prior to moving to Kansas City. He was Production Manager at the Virginia Museum Theatre and Managing Director at TheaterVirginia before continuing to the Richmond Ballet.

Paul was a lifelong champion of the performing arts and he fostered the careers of countless actors, artists and musicians through fundraising campaigns.

He was much beloved by his family and friends.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held in the near future.