Robert Richard Van Dyke

Robert Richard Van Dyke, age 88, our beloved father and grandfather, peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father and to a joyous reunion with his eternal sweetheart, Kay, on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in Springville, Utah.

Bob was born on May 2, 1934, in Los Angeles, California, to Jacob Sjirk and Gladys Richardson Van Dyke. He grew up helping his father and brother on the family dairy farm. He attended Anaheim High School in Anaheim, California, where he excelled in raising award winning Holstein dairy cows and loved drag racing. He graduated in 1952. He went to Cal State San Luis Obispo, where he majored in Animal Husbandry and was a member of the Mustang Rodeo team. While attending Cal State, his cousin, Joe D. England, talked him into coming to Utah and finishing his education at Brigham Young University. While at BYU, he continued his bull riding career on their rodeo team and also drag racing. He loved to tell everyone how he was undefeated in Provo with his Buick 2 speed Dynaflow transmission. He graduated from BYU in 1959.

Once again his cousin had great advice, and suggested Bob take Kay Irene Johnson on a date. They hit it off and quickly fell in love. Bob was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1958, and then married Kay in the Salt Lake Temple on September 4, 1959.

They moved to Cypress, California, where he again worked with his father on the dairy farm. A few years later when they relocated the family dairy farm to Chino, California, Kay and Bob were pleased to adopt two children, Robbie and Kristin.

In 1974, they returned to Utah and made their home in Springville, where Bob was self-employed and a real estate agent for a time. He also started helping Kay’s father and brother with their family mink ranch and later took over the ranch.

Bob developed a great testimony of the gospel. He served faithfully in numerous callings. Among his favorites was working in the Stake and Ward Athletic programs.

Bob enjoyed rooting for college sports. He and Kay were avid BYU supporters, and went to many games over the years. He also loved doing the daily crossword puzzles from the newspaper and reading a good book. He had shelves and shelves of novels that he would read and reread, over and over. In the last few years, he found he loved spending time at the local library discovering new books to read.

Bob loved caring for and spending time with his family and friends. His love and compassion were constant as he spent his life in the service of others.

Bob is survived by his brother Kenneth (Roberta) Van Dyke, son Robert J. (Brenda) Van Dyke, and daughter Kristin L. (Roger) Valdez. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Casey J. (Mindy) Van Dyke and Aidyn KC Valdez and two great grandchildren, Daisy K. and Rosey L. Van Dyke.  Preceded in death by his parents, father in-law Alma L. Johnson, mother in-law Irene Henrichsen Johnson, brother in-law JKent Johnson and his sweetheart, Kay.

We love and miss you Dad! Give Mom a hug from us. Until we meet again.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Springville Stake Center, 245 S. 600 E. Springville. Viewings are scheduled on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 6-8 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 S. Springville, and from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the services at the church. Interment in Provo City Cemetery.