Dr. Lyle L. Lloyd was a pioneer in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). He dedicated his life’s work to enhancing the lives of those with disabilities. Having understood early on what AAC would become, he fostered relationships in the field and contributed to its development. Lloyd’s passing saddens the community deeply but his legacy of helping others is greatly beloved. Dr. Lloyd’s dedication to the advocacy of others is evident from the astounding quantity and quality of his experiences. He visualized augmentative and alternative communication early and helped pave the way, eventually passing information and passion onto the next generation of doctoral students.

Dr. Lloyd’s most recent contribution was as co-editor with Donald R. Fuller on Principles and Practices in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Slack Incorporated is honored and grateful to offer the last book from who is considered the father of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Lloyd began his education at Eastern Illinois University where he earned his BS in speech-language pathology and physical education. He continued at the University of Illinois earning his Master of Arts in hearing and speech disorders. From there he began his early career experiences which included public school speech-language pathologist, instructor of speech pathology at University of Iowa, audiologist at Constance Brown Hearing and Speech Center, and later, Director of Audiology at Parsons State Hospital. He then earned his doctoral degree and began work as a health science administrator for communication disorders with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

His experiences prepared him for one of his most significant contributions while he was at Purdue University: to build a special education program as its director. Lloyd co-created the first university course on AAC and the publication of two seminal books paved the way to AAC prior. Lyle worked with many doctoral students to develop the next generation.

Lloyd’s experience at Purdue was nothing short of impressive. It included 99 peer-reviewed journal articles in prestigious journals. He was also responsible for 28 conference abstracts or reports, 25 book chapters, 17 books, over 100 oral and poster presentations at conferences, and 75 international presentations. He was also a prolific grant writer, having 39 grants funded during his time at Purdue. It is important to highlight his special relationship with the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Lloyd lectured there many times, offered to serve on doctoral dissertation committees, and become an honorary doctorate.

Dr. Lloyd passed away February 12, 2020, at age 85. He more than deserved earning honors of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and Council for Exceptional Children. The Slack community is saddened by this loss and Lloyd’s contributions to the field of AAC are greatly admired. The sum of Lloyd’s work is astounding, and his expertise desired internationally. Lyle was a visionary mentor who deserved the honors he received. Dr. Lyle L. Lloyd changed the field he worked in, loved his family, and was a prolific visionary that all of those around him respected.