Marv Byars Memorial Golf Tournament

Long after the horse-covered wagons disappeared and the Wild West became tame, a trailblazing pioneer named Howard Marvin Byars came to Reno. Born November 6th, 1930 in San Francisco, Byars returned with his family to their Reno home when he was just 4-days old.

By all accounts, Byars, who died in April 2000, was an extremely focused individual. After attending elementary through high school in Reno, Byars graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada. To his dismay, the University offered no Master's Degree in Civil Engineering. So, with the help of his professors, a master's program was designed, and Byars was the first to receive one. He later taught at the university.

He met the love of his life, Tosca L. Rovetti, the daughter of an Italian immigrant, at Reno High School. They married in 1952 and had four children: Linda Byars Lehman, now deceased; Mark Byars; Christine Byars Winkel; and Sheril Byars Bradley.

After graduation, Byars spent 10 years with Isabell Construction Company and three years with R.I. Helms Construction before starting his own company, H.M. Byars Construction, in 1965. His daughter Sheril Byars Bradley, now runs the company.

As years passed, Byars became involved in numerous community projects and won many awards. His dedication to the various projects with which he was involved was unparalleled.

"I'm biased because he's my dad," Sheril said. "But he was truly an incredible man. He was a very driven man." Bradley said her father's legacy could be found in his integrity.

Don't get me wrong, my dad wasn't perfect," she said, "But I never saw him go back on his word. Never." Neither did former student Allen Tryon, an Associate Civil Engineer with the City of Reno. "He played an influential role in so many of his students' lives," Tryon said. "He often would have guest speakers - lawyers, iron workers, owners of companies- come to his classes so we could learn first-hand about the industry." 

Byars also was known for how he regarded his students, according to Tryon.

"He treated all of his students with respect," Tryon said. "I never saw him talk down to anyone. And he had so much passion for what he did in the real world that it made it easy for him to convey that to his students. He was a very unique and wonderful man."

BY NEIL BARON