William R. Van Dyk

Hebron, NY - William Rodger Van Dyk, age 82, of Hebron, NY and previously of Franklin Lakes, NJ, went to be with the Lord, peacefully at home with his family, on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

Bill was born on November 26, 1936 in Paterson, NJ to Amozina “Teenie” (Vermeulen) and Barney Van Dyk of Hawthorne, NJ.  Bill grew up in Hawthorne, Glen Rock, and Wyckoff, NJ. He graduated from Lincoln Middle School in Hawthorne, NJ. He attended Ramsey High School, he then transferred to Jersey Preparatory School where he received his GED.

Bill enjoyed riding horses as a boy and also attended camp at Word of Life Island in Schroon Lake, NY where he would ride horses across the water from the main land to the island.  Bill has supported the ministry of Word of Life for many years. He has always been mission minded and supported many youth activities for the local youth of Salem, NY. He was also involved with and supported other ministries such as Operation Mobilization, Walter Hoving House, Star of Hope Mission, Christian Overcomers, and Christ for the City (Susan Grosser) to name a few.  Bill also attended a number of churches in his lifetime. He attended Grace Church in Ridgewood, NJ while raising his family, he also attended Hawthorne Gospel Church, in Hawthorne, NJ and most recently he has attended Durkeetown Baptist Church, in Fort Edward, NY. His faith was very important to him. Dr. David Jeremiah was one of his favorite preachers. He watched him faithfully on television every Sunday afternoon.

As a boy, Bill occasionally worked for his father, Barney Van Dyk, at his Butcher Shop/Grocery Store. He would stock shelves and also make deliveries on his bike.  As a young man of 18, Bill obtained his pilot’s license for small planes. He flew out of the airport in Wayne, NJ. At the encouragement of his cousin, William joined the Army National Guard. He was in the Guard for 8 years. He served in the 114th Hospital Mobile Medical Detachment Dental Service Unit. He was Honorably discharged in October of 1963.  At a young age, Bill began to work with his brother, Marvin Van Dyk, when Marvin started the Van Dyk Nursing Home in Allendale, NJ. Bill enjoyed the business. The brothers went on to own and run two other small nursing homes, one in Towaco, NJ and another in Ridgewood, NJ on Godwin Avenue. As the businesses grew the brothers were joined by their father, Barney Van Dyk, after he sold his Butcher Shop/Grocery Store in Paterson, NJ. With the success of the smaller nursing homes, the Van Dyk trio went on to build two brand new modern nursing home facilities in Ridgewood and Montclair, NJ.  These two new facilities were the first of their kind in nursing and convalescent homes. Marvin, Bill, and Barney operated a respectable and successful family business. Bill really appreciated the staff at the Van Dyk Nursing Homes and the staff, in return, were fond of him as well.  Even during his retirement, he would have communication with many of them. He also enjoyed seeing their familiar faces at the Annual Van Dyk Christmas Parties. William worked for about forty years in the family business, before he retired.

Bill was married to Sandra (Whitehead) Van Dyk and lived for many years in Franklin Lakes, NJ.  They adopted 4 children, Wendy, Susan, Jonathan and Matthew. Each of their children took a turn at working at the Van Dyk Nursing Home in Ridgewood, NJ.  Bill, Sandy and their family spent many memorable summers and weekends at their farm in Hebron, NY. They also enjoyed boating on Lake George and camping on Mallory Island in Lake George, NY.  Bill was also fond of his cabin on Lake St. Catherine in Vermont where he enjoyed boating, looking out over the lake, and watching his children and grandchildren swim, fish, and go tubing behind the boat.  William cherished his children and grandchildren. He kept them in his daily prayers right up until his last days.

After his retirement, Bill relocated to his country house on his farm in Hebron, NY.  He has always enjoyed animals and has had horses, cows, sheep, pigs, ducks, goats, and chickens on the farm.  He established Pond Brook Farm with his son Jonathan, and they have specialized in Miniature Hereford Beef Cattle for a number of years. William loved to look out his windows and see the animals on the farm.  He was also fond of watching the birds that would come up to his many feeders on his porch. He was a real nature lover. Bill and his son Jonathan also owned and operated the Central House Cafe in Salem, NY.  Bill was proud to own the cafe and especially enjoyed eating the home cooked meals and the treats that Bea, the cook, would make. It was a special time for him.

Bill is survived by his children Wendy Van Dyk Abma, Susan (Stephen) Aalderink, Jonathan (Eileen) Van Dyk , and Matthew Van Dyk. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kayleigh (Kurt) Gensheimer, Samantha (Ryan) Dykstra, Anthony, Daniel, and Emily Van Dyk, Julia, Lilah, and Sadie Aalderink and great grandchild, Samuel Dykstra. He is also survived by his ex-wife Sandra Van Dyk, brother-in-law Edwin (Patricia) Whitehead, sister-in-law Gertrude Van Dyk and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bill was predeceased by his parents Amozina and Barney Van Dyk, his stepmother, Evelyn Van Dyk, and his brother, Marvin Van Dyk.

As per his wishes, William will be buried alongside his parents in Fairlawn, NJ.  A memorial service will be held in NJ at Van Dyk Park Place, 644 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506 at 12:00 pm Saturday, April 27, 2019.  The service will Saturday, April 27, at 12 pm with food and fellowship to follow.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in honor of William Van Dyk to Word of Life Fellowship "Camps", 4200 Glendale Road, Pottersville, NY 12860 or to the Hawthorne Gospel Missionary Fund, 2000 State Route 208, Hawthorne, NJ 07506.

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