Richard was born in St Andrews on 17th February 1900, the fifth of six children - three girls and three boys - to Laura Margaret Parr and Dr David Hamilton Kyle, a local GP.  The family initially lived in Queen's Gardens but later moved to 16 The Links overlooking the 18th fairway of the Old Course.

He attended Madras College. He was a scratch golfer but not at the same level as his two older brothers. He trained as an opera singer at La Scala in Milan.

He married Pearl Muriel Hewett East in 1931.

(Much more information can be found in 'The Golfing Kyles of St Andrews' by Dr Eve Soulsby, former Principal Teacher of Geography in Madras College).