OBITUARY
Kyle William Platts
December 27, 1971 – September 26, 2020
Kyle William Platts passed away September 26, 2020. He was born on December 27, 1971 to Bob and Kathy Platts. Kyle was a family man first and foremost. His devotion and love for his wife, Michelle, and kids, Katie and Devin, was his main priority and his most proud accomplishment in life. He was well known in his industry and very accomplished. Kyle was amazingly intelligent, but was very humble and you would never know about all the awards he accumulated over the years, mile stones, and he even had a patent in the works. He worked for Adtran in Huntsville, AL for the last 17 years and made many very close friends that will miss him dearly. When Kyle was not with his family or working you would more than likely find him on his bike that became a passion of his for the last 5 years of his life. His main joy was training and racing on gravel. Kyle enjoyed competition and improving himself. Over the years he raced the DAM, LandRun 100, Spotted Horse 3 years in a row, White Rock Classic, and many more. Kyle will be missed by all who had a chance to get to know him. His laugh and sense of humor were contagious. He was compassionate and was willing to lend a hand when he was asked. Kyle is survived by his wife Michelle Platts, his children Katie Platts and Devin (Hannah) Platts, parents Bob and Kathy Platts, father-in-law Mike Graf and brothers-in-law Steve (Sarah) Graf and nieces and Chris (Leslie) Graf ad niece and nephew. A Celebration of Life service will take place at 4:00 PM, Thursday, October 1, 2020 at the Ankeny Band shell (410 W. First Street Ankeny, IA 50023). Attendees are asked to please bring your own chairs or seating. Memories and online condolences may be left for the Platts family on Kyle’s page at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com.
Services
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Celebration of Life
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Memories
Kyle William Platts
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ADD A MEMORYJeff Everhart
October 9, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of Kyle’s passing. I last saw Kyle back in the late 1980’s when we worked together at the Forum Four Theater on Merle Hay Road. I have very fond memories of us goofing around when we where supposed to be working and seeing a bunch of free 80’s movies. We reconnected about 10 years ago through Facebook and I have enjoyed seeing how much he was loved and enjoyed life. My deepest condolences to his family.
Jeff Kirchbaum
October 2, 2020
Today I withdraw to humble retrospective admiration for Kyle Platts. His zest for technology, love for family, and dedication to selfless service humbles me in pride for who he was and what he could accomplish.
My smiles will be in honor of his and my focus will be renewed in an attempt to strive for 1/5th of what he was.
Rest easy my friend.
Chris Damstrom
October 2, 2020
Sorry for your loss , thoughts and prayers for your family.
Camila Jersonsky
October 1, 2020
I had the privilege to work with Kyle very closely on a project over the past year. I learned so much from him. I don't like to delegate or let other people do things because I don't trust that they will do them properly, but that wasn't the case with Kyle. I could always trust that he would get things done, and that he would do them the way I would if not better. He most definitely earned my respect. Plus he was fun to work with, with those witty comebacks of his. I absolutely enjoyed working with him. I couldn't believe the news when I heard. Kyle, you will be missed!
Doug & Ginger Larsen
October 1, 2020
Losing a mate or offspring no matter the age has to be the worst of the worst. Our very deepest condolences. Doug & Ginger
Brian O'Connor
October 1, 2020
I only knew Kyle for a short time, but it was long enough to know that he was good man. He will be missed by many. His family and friends will be in my prayers.
Brent Frederick
October 1, 2020
It was a privilege to have known and to have had the opportunity to work with Kyle. He was a great person and a fantastic Engineer. Kyle and family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ed Cox
October 1, 2020
We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this difficult time. We remember Kyle when we lived in Sioux City. Ed and Shari Cox
Matt DePhillips
September 30, 2020
Kyle was my best friend since the 7th grade. I don't remember how we became friends but I'm sure it happened over something funny. We lived to make each other laugh. That and pull pranks on each other which he was infinitely better at. The time in high school when he stripped the interior of my car and left a treasure map/ransom note comes to mind...or when he poured a bucket of used motor oil under my car at work so I'd think I blew my engine...those were a couple of the most memorable pranks. My favorite funny memory was when he came down from MN to help Brad Noon with the supercharger on his car...i was filming the install just to document it and as brad was draining the radiator kyle stood behind the car door acting like he was peeing...the coolant splashing into the bucket was just perfect LOL. I completely lost it. Then brad started laughing then kyle then that made me laugh harder which made me hyperventilate which sounds like a goose having a seizure into a megaphone which makes kyle and brad laugh harder which makes me hyperventilate even more....we watched the tape later...it was like 11 straight minutes of us laughing like hyenas!
Kyle you were my very best friend of 36 years, I loved you like a brother and was closer to you than most of my family I'll miss you dearly my friend, rest in peace, our journey was awesome because you were a part of it.
Darrell Brown
September 29, 2020
It has taken some time to process the recent world exit of my friend. Through wet and glassy eyes I remember some of our best times together and just like when anyone is around Kyle, I just can’t help but smile, chuckle, and eventually cave to complete laughter because that is what Kyle inspired.
So many stories flood my mind, many will not fit in the 2000 word limit, others I probably shouldn’t post (protecting the innocent and such), and so many others that we could talk for hours about over an adult beverage (or in Kyle’s case, usually a Diet Pepsi). One of my favorite memories though was our trip from Huntsville, AL to Libby, MT. (Already laughing!). There is not enough room here to tell the whole thing, but i can tell you that involved a few $1 beta, a confrontation with TSA, stolen and ransomed test equipment, bribery, entrapment, two police departments (Spokane and Seattle), pictures of sheep on a laptop (won’t say whose), a Super 8, a pretty heated call from our company’s VP of sales, an airport custodian in Kalispell, and Kyle’s technical victory over a competing vendor which resulted in a PCN which Kyle had framed. The entire trip was laugh after laugh after laugh....but that was life with Kyle....witty beyond words, completely brilliant, and larger than life. Kyle, I will never forget you my friend!
Chris Kohoutek
September 29, 2020
From the first time I met Kyle through work, I knew we had so many things in common and we were bound to be great friends. From our love of really dumb movie quotes, to cars, similar views in life, and family we shared so many things in common. Over the years we had some fun work trips or we would get together for dinner when he got up to Minnesota. I am going to miss our phone conversations for sure where we would talk about a little work, a few stories, and just life in general and have lots of laughs. Kyle was funny, super smart, quick-witted, and just a great guy that was taken way to soon. I consider myself lucky to have gotten to know him. To Michelle and family, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Tony Bieniek
September 29, 2020
I am truly still in shock after hearing the sad news of Kyle's passing on Saturday morning. My sincere condolences to Kyle's family and friends.
My first thought after hearing this was remembering a business trip to Adtran's Hunstville headquarters and laughing for 2 straight hours at a business dinner with Kyle and his colleagues recalling the top 10 funnies work trips of all times. Kyle was right in the middle of everyone of these stories. I will never forget that memory, nor will I ever forget Kyle.
Wendy Wilhite
September 29, 2020
Bob & Kathy I'm so sorry for your loss . My thoughts and prayers go out to you both and to his wife and kids.
Deb Lemar
September 29, 2020
Michelle, Jake and I are so sorry for you and your family’s loss. Kyle was a gem and Tracy enjoyed his company at many a baseball game. We are thinking of you, Devin, and the rest of your family now and for many weeks and months to come.
Robert Wermuth
September 29, 2020
I have many fond memories of Kyle, watching our boys play baseball together. His incredible sense of humor and wit made those long hot summer days a little more bearable. One of my favorite memories was in little league when Devin hit a home run, over the fence with all the signs from sponsors...bankers, lawyers and realtors mostly. As I congratulated Kyle, his response (in that perfect deadpan dry wit voice of his) was “I told Dev to ‘make the call to Becky Hall’ “, echoing the slogan of the local realtor over whose sign Devin’s long ball had just passed. He was always supportive of all the boys, and a welcome presence to brighten the most grueling days of seemingly endless tournaments in the sweltering heat in the middle-of-nowhere Alabama, Mississippi or Tennessee. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Debi Hamm
September 29, 2020
Kathy and R.P. Hold on to each other. You are in my heart.
Greg Wesdorf
September 29, 2020
I am deeply saddened by the passage of Kyle. Prayers to Jesus to provide comfort to his family and friends. I worked with Kyle back in the 90's at US West and then Qwest. We worked Chronic trouble resolution and he was the best. Have a memory of fixing a trouble at 0100 in the morning behind Warner Stellan appliances. Was during the 98 strike. As management we took his supped up Mustang as the service vehicle, some hand tools and repaired the drop to the bldg. We thought for sure the cops would catch us. Kyle was mild mannered and went about his business. He was a terrific technician/engineer and Qwest lost him to Adtran during the dark years of downsizing. My family and I will miss him terribly.
Arun Mallan
September 28, 2020
I sent him an email last Thursday and got auto response but I still couldn’t believe I won’t meet or discuss with him anymore .
I worked with Kyle on a customer project past 3+ yrs. He is always ready to help and say what’s in his mind with no filter ( I really liked Kyle for that and learnt something in every conversation we had ).
My last Conversation with Kyle and his response to my presentation draft
“ That deck is WAAAAYYYY too busy.
I’d pare it down considerably or stick with original” . He edited and sent me the presentation back with clean contents.
I am going to really miss him and his technical commentary on product designs.
We met during our company Sales summit meeting in Nashville and spent 2 days sitting in same table and had great conversation about projects , Bikes and family .
My condolences and prayers to Kyle’s family and friends.
Delton Lawton
September 28, 2020
I met Kyle while we were riding bikes. We shared a tent on Ragbrai one year, he was one of my favorite people to ride with, always pushing me to ride harder and had obviously trained and become a much stronger rider than me, which in turn makes me want to train more to become a stronger rider! I will miss his laugh and him allowing me to draft him out on the gravel roads!
Chris Andrews
September 28, 2020
I am so sorry to hear about Kyle's passing. I worked with him over the last year at ADTRAN and really came to appreciate his knowledge and work ethic. He was a brilliant man who cared about his Adtran family as well as his customers.
We will miss him dearly and send our deepest sympathy to your family during this very difficult time.
Chris S. Andrews
Jeanine Cloyd Voelker
September 28, 2020
I was briefly introduced at the Indy 50 Gravel this year. Michelle and I were patiently waiting for our husbands to finish. Michelle shared his love for cycling and his close connection with Lisa (mutual friend). It is hard to believe. I love you all and pray for continued joy and peace in your life. God Bless!
Brian Frank
September 28, 2020
Kyle and I grew up a few blocks apart and were computer geeks together in elementary school. He had a Commodore 64 and I had a IBM. We would argue about which was the better computer like a Ford versus Chevy rivalry.
Around 5th grade, Kyle and I decided to try and make money using our computers. Through some help with our parents we decided we would make a fortune selling mailing labels that we printed our computers to local businesses. We bought a receipt book to record all sales with and a box of tractor feed printing labels and set off to make our fortune.
One morning we decided to hop on our bikes and go make sales calls. We decided our big whale was to sell to banks, because obviously they used a lot of labels. We went to the Hawkeye Bank, approached the bank teller, and told her what we were doing. She then politely took us to Dale Froehilich, the bank president’s office. We gave Mr. Froehlich our huge sales pitch. At the end of our pitch he explained how they do things and that the bank did not need mailing labels. We were crushed. He then told us hold on he would purchase a box personally from us. After our meeting with the bank I believe we had a similar meeting with Luke Brother’s carpeting as well and sold them a box. After our 2 big sales, we decided to take our profits and close shop.
Parker Smith
September 28, 2020
I am so sorry to hear about Kyle's passing and my heart and prayers go out to his family. I got to know Kyle for the first time in 2010 when we travelled to Dubai together for work and I got to show him all the sights that I had previously seen on earlier trips. Attached is a picture of us snow skiing inside the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. We laughed a lot on that trip and had a great time getting to know each other. He will be greatly missed by so many friends!
Brad Noon
September 28, 2020
When Kyle and I were in high school, we had a writing and speech class that were one right after the other. Between classes, we frequently went over each other's notes for that class. We often treated it like a stand up comedy routine, and bounced ideas off of each other to improve our "material".
One time, the assignment was to remember the first things we could about going to school and/or one of your most embarrassing moments in school, and to describe them to the best you could remember. Reading Kyle's notes, he had a paragraph about spitting water all over a kid and Kyle getting in trouble for it... I said, "Kyle, that was me." and he said, "No, this was in home room, and it was after recess, and this kid got all mad and stuff"... Me: "Yup, still me..." Kyle: "No, this was some other kid. He yelled at me for taking too long at the drinking fountain or something..." Me: "... Still me... In fact, I remember that too. The teacher had a rule about 3 second drinks at the water fountain so that each kid would get a chance to drink water if they wanted, so the kid behind you was supposed to count, 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi... 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi... 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi... KYLE COME ON! I WANT A DRINK TOO! 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi... SAFE SOME FOR THE FISH!!!" Kyle: (mouth totally full water blasts me head to toe = soaked) "Dammit Brad"... Me:"...you suck."
In full Kyle style, he bursted out with a full body laugh, barely able to grab his books and collect himself enough to go to the next class. This 3rd grade memory, shared later in high school, had become our first comedy "bit". Add Matt Dephilips in 7th grade, and our trio was complete. We should have charged for the show, but as friends, you were always invited for free. Keep the mic warm for us KP. See you later.
Matt DePhillips
September 28, 2020
craig cross
September 27, 2020
Bob and Kathy, so terribly sorry to hear of the loss of your Son ...