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March 8th, 1924 - July 22nd, 2018Victor Le Clear Dykhuizen, born March 8th, 1924, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away Sunday, July 22nd, 2018, in Orange, California, at the age of 94. Beloved son of Ethelyeen Marie Le Clear and Peter Allen Dykhuizen, brother of Ellyeen Lavinia Dykhuizen (Workman), Victor was a life long Methodist, always devoted to his Christian faith. He graduated from Central High in 1943 where he played basketball as both a four-letter man and team captain. A mere 5 days after graduation, Victor entered the army, eventually serving as Army Photographer. By age 21, he was stationed in France with the army engineer corps. Following passage of examinations, he was assigned as battalion photographer, then later advanced to group photographer, entrusted with photographing 40 companies. Cpl. Dykhuizen served with the 167th engineer combat battalion, attached to the 3rd army, under the command of General Patton. Victor was engaged in the battle of Metz and the Moselle river crossing. He photographed, step by step, the crossing of the Rhine River. Cpl. Dykhuizen bravely fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and came to know General Patton while photographing his men. After VJ day, Cpl Dykhuizen, with his camera and battalion at the ready, was set to leave for Japan when the war ended. He sent home the town flag flown over the city of Stadt Bocholt after it was freed by allied forces.Following the end of WWII, Victor returned home to Grand Rapids. His beloved Aunt Lona Neal passed away in his absence and he regretted not being with her in her final days. Victor continued to pursue photography at home by joining the family business (founded by his grandfather, Albert Avery Le Clear and his grandmother Julia Ann Neal (Le Clear) shortly after the Civil War), He worked together with his parents and sister at the Le Clear Dykhuizen studios to capture images of a wide array of events and people, most notably Michigan Governors Green and Williams, an Ambassador to Italy, and other dignitaries He photographed Calvin College and countless weddings. Victor also worked for the City of Grand Rapids, Kent County, in public services.Victor loved to be on the lake (Michigan has many, but he most often chose Reeds Lake) in his turquoise speed boat, both water skiing and driving. He taught his nephew and niece to slalom as well. Many happy summers were spent on the water, followed by caramel corn. He also enjoyed camping with them on the shores of Lake Michigan.Victor leaves behind his nephew, John Franklin Workman III, and his niece Jill Le Clear Workman-Isenberg. He will also be deeply missed by Vivian, Ryan, Dominique, Sofia; Peter, Trevor, and Lark. . Victor's life will be celebrated on August 5, 2018. Visitation 10 AM to Noon; Service Noon to 1PM.Please sign the guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/ladailynews.Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, CA., 92705:
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Published in Los Angeles Daily News on Aug. 3, 2018
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