Kyle Robert Giest

Age 33, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at home in Pittsburgh, PA, following a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by his parents and sister.

Kyle was born in Oceanside, CA and grew up in Tampa, FL. Kyle was a lifelong learner and excelled in academics, graduating with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma from Hillsborough High School in Tampa in 2010. He graduated cum laude from the University of Florida (UF) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2014, and completed the Post-Baccalaureate Didactic Program in Dietetics at UF in 2022. He was studying at the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy in the final year of his life.

Kyle's passion for learning extended to everything he did including sports and hobbies. Kyle was a lifelong tennis enthusiast and pursued countless activities, including rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, ultimate frisbee, skiing, snowboarding, squash, pickleball, biking, golfing, hiking, organic farming, trail running, and fitness. His love of nature also provided Kyle with calm and quiet; he enjoyed walks through Allegheny Commons Park with his dog, Teddy, and created meticulous drawings of flowers, forests, and tree bark. He was a skilled cook (having worked professionally in restaurants throughout his 20's), talented artist, great card player, and coffee/pastry connoisseur.

In 2018, at the age of 25, Kyle was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer. Kyle completed treatment at UF Health Shands Hospital and was in remission for 3 ½ years when his cancer metastasized to his lung in 2022. Kyle relocated to Pittsburgh to live with his mom and stepfather and to receive treatment. His sister and father soon followed Kyle to Pittsburgh to offer Kyle love and support.

During his four years in Pittsburgh, Kyle endured multiple chemotherapies, radiation treatments, surgeries and clinical trials here and in Cleveland and Columbus, OH. Kyle didn't let any of that stop him from living life to its fullest. He worked as a mentor to young adults with disabilities, travelled to Japan, and tutored massage school peers. He became passionate about hiking and completed the grueling 37 mile Rachel Carson Trail Challenge, not once, but twice.

Kyle is survived by his mother Carrie Giest, father Bob Giest, sister Alison Giest, stepfather Brian O'Neill, and stepsisters Clare and Curran O'Neill. Kyle will be remembered for his courage, compassion, humor, and tenacity, and for guiding his loved ones and friends during his eight-year journey with cancer. He taught us all how to truly live. He was our light.

Kyle was laid to rest at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park in Verona. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Jewish Community Center Squirrel Hill (JCC), 5738 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15217, on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

For those wishing to make a donation in Kyle's memory, he selected three organizations close to his heart: Paws Across Pittsburgh, Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, and Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma.