Kyle Martin Erwin left this world unexpectedly March 16, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. He was born November 2, 1978 in Oklahoma City. He graduated in 1995 from Piedmont High School and later studied at the University of Oklahoma. After high school, Kyle set out on a colorful life journey that included fascinating travel, life-long friendships, good food, and mind-expanding experiences. Grieving the loss of Kyle are parents Rick Erwin, Lorri Carter and husband Marl, brother Travis Erwin, son MartÍn Erwin, Grandmother Rosie Brandon, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews. Also surviving Kyle are his beloved dogs Shelley and Ruby Rose. Among Kyle’s “chosen family” of long-time friends are Norton Arbelaez, Colin Choney, Carrie Choney Gourley, and Corey Choney. Sarah Brumley, who preceded him in death, was the love of his life.
Kyle lived the life he wanted to live, placing a high-value on family and his chosen family of life-long friends. Kyle’s friends and family knew that he would drop what he was doing to come to their aid; he chose friends who would do the same for him.
Kyle was an uninhibited conversationalist with an appetite for a good “debate” about worldly events, particularly politics. His views were informed by his appetite for daily online news, podcasts and books. His take-no-prisoners debating style was matched by no one and respected by those who chose to engage with him in discussion.
Kyle valued most his interactions with his people and his dogs. He loved travel and his family and friends could always expect an email or text with photos of Kyle mixing with the locals. Once, while Kyle was traveling in Paris, his mother asked what he thought about the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Kyle’s response was that those tourist attractions were OK, but his time was better spent just being around “the people”.
Kyle had many interests including reading, riding motorcycles, snowboarding, camping, music and movies. But his passion and his livelihood were connected to good food. This passion began developing at an early age. Awakened by the smell of pizza one night, his parents came to investigate. They learned that Kyle just “followed the recipe” for crust from a cookbook and improvised on the toppings. He was only 10 years old. Later, Kyle worked in many restaurants in Oklahoma, New Orleans, and Denver, bringing his enthusiasm and creativity wherever he went. On his own time, he impressed the people who loved him with gatherings and good times that always included delicious, artful foods, following his own recipes, created in the moment just for his guests. Kyle expressed love sincerely to others by sharing his special gift for food.
Kyle courageously lived more life in his forty- two years than many of us ever will. He was loved and he will be missed.
A memorial gathering is being planned for June. Date and time are pending and will be announced at a later date.