Robert Lytle was born in Watertown, South Dakota and received a high school education in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He studied law in LaCrosse and elsewhere, coming to Oregon via South Dakota and Montana in 1915. He was admitted to the Oregon bar in 1916, and commenced his practice in Vale. From 1920-1925, Lytle was Malheur County District Attorney, and served as city attorney for Vale, 1922-1967. A Republican, Lytle was moderately active in politics.
From the guide to the Robert Day Lytle papers, 1917-1963, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)