The first digital signage industry advocate I ever met was Lyle Bunn, recent founder of The Center For Digital Experience. It must have been some 20 years ago and I was writing for Sound and Communications magazine at the time. They asked us to do a new video show they were producing at the time.I don’t think the interview ever aired anywhere but after that, he became my go-to-guy for all things DOOH — digital out-of-home. Over the next two decades, we met, annually, at the InfoComm or DSE shows and he was always full of industry stats and figures. He said he was a big fan of our digital signage publication (rAVe [DS]) and he even helped launch it by promoting it and writing for us.

Last Tuesday, he died after a battle with colon cancer.

Those that knew Lyle knew him as kind and positive — I never heard him utter a negative word. In fact, right before he died, he wrote this message to the industry: “[It was a] great joy to be able to make such contributions to the industry, touching many individuals and organizations, since the inception of the digital signage industry. [My final] wish is for the industry’s ongoing success.”

Digital Signage Federation Chairman Richard Ventura said, “With Lyle’s passing, I am reminded of the fragility of life and how short a time we are all really here. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know Lyle, both as a person and as a member of our industry. He was ubiquitous in our industry, insatiable in his desire to learn and teach, and genuine in his enthusiasm and gentle manner. He will be missed and he will be remembered. On behalf of the leadership and members of the DSF, our sincerest condolences to his family.”

Rest in peace, Lyle.

A service to celebrate Lyle’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 20 at the Brighton Fellowship Christian Reform Church, 204 Main Street, Brighton, Ontario. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in Lyle’s name either to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the American Cancer Society.