Harry Dyck Sr.

Harry M. Dyck, Sr. was born in Hillsboro, Kansas, on January 22, 1917, and died in his home in Fresno on Thursday, September 25, 2008, at the age of 91. His wife, Bernice, whom he affectionately described as his best friend and lifelong partner, was at his side. The couple was one year short of celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

Dyck spent most of his career working for the Fresno City Fire Department. In 1958, he was elected President of the California State Firemen's Association (CSFA), a statewide group which promotes the welfare, under-standing and high standards of California's fire fighters. While active in the CSFA he was appointed to the Governor's Fire Advisory Board and served under Governors Goodwin Knight and Pat Brown. Among the innovations in fire control which he helped implement was the use of red dye in the fire retardant used in aerial drops for forest fires, allowing pilots to know where to make their next drop. This innovation is still used in California and has become common worldwide.

After retiring from the fire department, Dyck worked as an Inspector Engineer for an insurance underwriter and retired in 1982.

Harry and his wife Bernice devoted much of their time to various youth activities. Dyck was active in Las Palmas-Ponderosa Masonic Lodge, and he and his wife were active in Raisina Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. Through their Masonic affiliations, Dyck served on the DeMolay Foundation and as a District Supervisor for DeMolay. He assisted Bernice in her activities in Rainbow Girls, including her position as Supreme Deputy for the state of California from 1973 through 1980. Dyck also belonged to the York Rite Bodies, the Royal Order of Scotland, the Hi 12 Masonic Luncheon Club and Fresno Sciots, Pyramid #10. Harry and Bernice first met at a joint Rainbow Girl and DeMolay event in 1937. They were active in the Fresno High Alumni Association, which serves to provide supplementary support to the students and faculty of Fresno High School.

In addition to his wife, Bernice, Harry leaves two sons, Harry M. Dyck, Jr. and his wife, Cynthia Simerly Dyck of Fresno, and Richard Dyck and his wife, Ikuko Fukumaru Dyck of Toyko, Japan; nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Over the years, they also took into their care several students from overseas, including Akio Kishimoto and Ikuro Yamada from Japan and Chenda Chum from Cambodia, all of whom they regard as members of their international family.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Las Palmas Masonic Center, 2992 E. Clinton on Sunday, October 5, 2008, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, friends and relatives are encouraged to make a donation to their favorite charity or to The Fresno High Alumni Association (P.O. Box 27516, Fresno, California, www.FresnoHighAlumni.com).

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