Island Arts lost one of those rare people that truly made the world a better place. Lyn was a kind soul, the kind of person that always had a nice thing to say about everyone. He also possessed a keen sense of humor that made our board meeting an event not to be missed.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Lynville “Lyn” Walter Jarvis passed away peacefully on December 29th 2018. Lyn was born on August 9, 1939. He grew up in Andover, Vermont in Windsor County. After attending elementary school there, he graduated from Chester High School in 1957. He went on to attend Emerson College in Boston and graduated in 1961 with a degree in Broadcast Communications. From there he went to graduate school at the University of Alabama where he received a graduate assistance ship where he taught undergraduates in courses related to the communication arts. Part of his academic requirements was an internship at WSFA TV, the NBC affiliate in Montgomery.

Upon his graduation in 1963 he was hired by WSFA TV as a full time camera operator; his early childhood dream. Soon after he was offered a position as a producer/director at broadcasting services back at The University of Alabama. He very much enjoyed the excitement of being a part of an SEC powerhouse during the days of Joe Namath, and continued to follow the No.1 college team in the country. Roll Tide! During this time the state of Vermont was creating Vermont ETV, now PBS, and by chance Odell Skinner was brought from Auburn University to Vermont to head up the new endeavor. Being familiar with Lyn’s work, he offered him a position back in his home state. Much to the delight of his family and friends he returned to Vt. in 1969. After 6 exciting years helping develop the growth of VT ETV and producing shows like Vermont Daily Almanac, Vermont Cracker Barrel and Music Tells The Story, to name a few, he was recruited by Robert Davidson, Dean of University Of Vermont Extension to produce “Across The Fence”, the nation’s longest running daily farm and community show in 1975. For 27 years, Lyn, along with host Tony Adams, shared the stories of Vermonters, young and old, who are such an important part of what Vermont is all about. Witnessing the transition from black and white to color, and live TV to tape, UVM Extension specialists were welcomed guests to provide current information in such important areas as agriculture, home economics, 4-H and UVM community resources. Lyn produced over 6,000 shows and became a familiar face throughout the state, and was recognized for his work with several awards such as the Award of Excellence by the Agriculture Communicators in Education in 1988, the UVM Extension Diversity Award in 1999, the 4-H Centennial Committee award in 2002, the UVM Pillar of Progress award in 2007, and the UVM Sinclair Cup award in 2017.

He retired in 2002 and moved to his home in South Hero. He was asked to do In the Kitchen with Across the Fence, a very popular show that continues to air on the first Thursday of every month. He often teamed up with friends to document his travels around the world to over 50 countries, all 50 states and the 7 continents, which became a highlight of the shows he produced during his retirement years.

In 2004 he joined the board of Island Arts, a non-profit that supports the creative arts for youth in Grand Isle County and took on the role of marketing director and later elected Vice-President. He worked closely with a fundraising team and local media to promote summer events to raise money for the scholarship program. More recently he was involved in the support of the Island Arts Center For The Creative Arts. His wish was for everyone to please make a donation in his memory to Island Arts (P.O. Box 108, North Hero, VT 05474 ) to help make this dream a reality. Lyn was blessed with many friends and family, he is survived by his brother Lauren who resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Island Arts Center – our dream come true – is energized thanks to your contributions in loving memory of Lyn Jarvis. Thank you to all of you, friends of Lyn!

Katya Wilcox, President for the Board of Directors of
Island Arts
P.O. Box 108
North Hero, VT 05474
www.islandarts.org