Who are the Lymans

Denis and Diane Lyman were both born in Wyoming and grew up developing a love for the outdoors and a lifelong appreciation for learning. As a result, they’ve remained committed to learning, while ensuring that others have opportunities for meaningful educational experiences.

In high school, Denis had a very prescient chemistry teacher, A.J. Barker, who encouraged him to go into the profession of dentistry. Denis graduated from the University of Wyoming, was accepted into the University of Oregon Health Science Center and sharpened his dental skills at the University of Georgia, adding a mastership in Implant Dentistry. Denis earned his DMD and the distinction of Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. Denis practiced his notable dental skills for 42 years, gratified by helping someone every day.

Diane graduated with honors from the International St. Andrews School in Nassau, Bahamas, earned her B.S. degree in Education from the University of Utah, and became licensed to sell real estate in California, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. Diane taught for six years in the public school systems, then devoted 14 years of her early mornings teaching religious studies for high school students. She also thoroughly enjoyed being a Partner & Broker for Jackson Hole Realty.

Denis and Diane were married on January 30, 1998 in Salt Lake City. They now have homes in two beautiful areas – Jackson Hole, Wyoming and St. George, Utah! They feel blessed to live in two of the most scenic, natural wonder-filled places in the nation.

In 2003, they retired from their businesses to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving on the islands of Madagascar and La Reunion then in Cape Town, South Africa. At the end of their mission, they drove through the African Continent from Cape Town to Alexandria, Egypt. Their adventurous and courageous spirits have compelled them to travel widely throughout the world seeking education and experiencing how other people live in their environments.

The Lymans’ love of learning led them to participate in UT’s Institute of Continued Learning. Tours with ICL took them to many of Southern Utah’s geological wonders and prompted conversations with UT leadership about geology, earth and environmental science programs. These conversations led to a generous gift from the Lymans for the creation of the Denis and Diane Robards Lyman Southwest Geoscience Center. Similar exuberance and passion for UT’s softball program led to a gift for redevelopment of the softball facilities. The generosity of the Lymans has been, and continues to be, transformative for the institution and surrounding community.