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David VanDyke Obituary
LEWISTON - David Van Dyke, 58, passed away on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, after suffering a heart attack one week earlier.
A loving husband, father, brother, and friend, David was a man of abundant zest and generosity of spirit. Everyone who knew him was struck by his enormous energy and beaming smile.
Born in Waukegan, Ill. on Sept. 14, 1959, David was educated in the Waukegan public schools and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1981. He earned his law degree at Harvard University Law School in 1984. He met his wife, Karen, at the Boston law firm Foley, Hoag & Eliot in 1990, and they were married in April 1991. Together they moved to Lewiston where they started a family and fell in love with Maine.
David's legal practice, first at Berman & Simmons and then at Hornblower, Lynch, Rabasco & Van Dyke (which became Lynch & Van Dyke) took him all over the state, and he always knew the best route to take to get wherever he needed to go.
His sense of adventure guided Karen and the couple's sons, Devin and John, on many wonderful trips. At Christmas he would thrill each member of the family with thoughtful gifts, often tickets for wished-for shows or travel, and would hide notes with clever rhyming clues throughout the house as part of a scavenger hunt leading to a fun treat to share. He was a whiz with facts on a great many subjects, and could captivate any audience, including judges and juries, with his powers of persuasion.
He loved cross-country skiing to the cabin at Stowe, floating on Thompson Lake in a big plastic raft, pizza, popcorn, and helping clients resolve their legal troubles, among many other things, but most of all he loved his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen; sons Devin and John; and siblings Ann and John Walin (sister and brother-in-law), and Michael and Natasha Van Dyke (brother and sister-in-law).
A Celebration of Life is being planned for late April.
In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory may be made to:
Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David VanDyke
Bill Suhadolnik
February 22, 2023
I miss Dave around this time and on his birthday which is 3 days earlier than mine. Having gone to high school and college with him I have very fond memories. My thoughts are with Karen ,the boys and his entire family.
Bill Suhadolnik
February 19, 2022
I knew Dave since freshman year I high school and lived with him in college I miss him especially because of his brilliant mind and personality hope all is well with Karen and the boys
Martha Read Cornett
September 12, 2018
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I was in David's High School class and a member of the Waukegan Tamburitzans and played in the orchestra with Dave. His smile was infectious and he always laughed and made me smile. I am not at all surprised by his great successes but am deeply saddened by his early passing. I hope your best memories keep him close in heart at this very difficult time.
Jay Rodrigue
April 20, 2018
Hi Karen
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew David for many years. He has helped me so much through the year professionally and with advise, I know that I will miss him.
Bill Suhadolnik
April 1, 2018
Hi Karen and family sorry I have not signed this earlier.i. Received word of June 3 will try to make it. My thoughts and prayers are with you.Dave and I go so far back I am so glad I got to see him in Chicago in Jan 2017. Dave was a genius and I recognized that early in his life. I will miss him very much.
Jim Moeller
March 29, 2018
Dave, I used to joke that I pulled you through law school, when in fact you pulled me through law school with your indefatigable spirit, sense of humor, and smile. We sure shared some good times! I hope you have yourself a great view of Wrigley Field.
Henry and Elizabeth Griffin
March 17, 2018
Sincerest and deepest condolences from our family to yours. It was always a pleasure to cross paths with David, whether in court or on a basketball court. His constant smile and wit always brightened the occasion. He is missed as a friend and fellow courthouse traveler.
Courtney
March 15, 2018
One year ago, Dave helped me through one of the most difficult transitions of my life. It was only through his expertise, sage advice and support that I was able to escape (what seemed like) an impossible work environment. I am eternally grateful for his willingness to help me (an acquaintance) free of charge and on his own time. I wouldn't be where I am today without him. My deepest condolences to the VanDyke family.
Kristina Rogers
March 8, 2018
Simply put, Uncle Dave was a wonderful human being. I will always remember him as the silly, generous, and intelligent man he was. I will smile anytime I think of "Camp Rules" or him telling me stories of my mom as a teenager. I feel lucky to have had him as an Uncle.
Karen- my uncle loved you so much. He shared with me the story of you two first meeting this past summer. Your relationship was always one I looked up to. When Tristan and I got married, we talked about relationships we admired and yours was one of the first listed. Even from afar, I knew you two had something special. I'm so sorry for what you are going through, I cannot imagine the pain. I love you.
Devin and John- I love you both and am here for you. Let's honor your father's life by being great cousins to one another and keeping in touch always.
John Walin
March 7, 2018
This took awhile, but on behalf of my wife Ann, Dave's dearest and only sister, ( she always called him Dave), we are still processing the loss of a great man, husband, father, sibling, brother in law, and uncle to our children. We share so deeply your loss and have trouble accepting this sad reality. Even so, can't imagine the depth of your pain and sadness as a wife or child.
I first met David when he was a freshman at University of Illinois almost 40 years ago. I remember him talking about getting into Harvard Law and I was like ya right. So goal driven, yet down to earth, always smiling and so in love with you Karen. You two lit up a room upon entry. Last time We saw you together and the boys was at Kristi's wedding. Last time we saw David 2 months ago in Chicago we were talking about traveling to Croatia as a foursome as young retirees. Our grief is very burdensome, yours unimaginable. I hope we can help you in any way possible during this very difficult time. So many tears.
Tracy wooldridge
March 1, 2018
my thoughts and prayers go out to the Van Dyke family. I shared his birthday 9/14. I am so sorry for you loss.
Kristin Schardt
February 28, 2018
Sending much love to all of you.
David was a vibrant and wonderful man.
We will miss him very much.
Claire Lawless
February 27, 2018
Karen - I work at Foley Hoag and remember you and David. I was so sad to hear of his passing. I always remember David's big smile and his laughter.....he made our workplace a fun place to be. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Lorraine Foster
February 27, 2018
David, hard to believe your not with us anymore. thanks for all your help these past few months you are one of a kind. Condolences to your family & friends. Saddened by this sad news
Lorraine Foster
February 27, 2018
Condolences to David's family and his work family
February 27, 2018
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Donald Hornblower
February 26, 2018
Karen, Devin, and John, I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. After getting to know David as an opponent, then partner, and then, best of all, as a friend, I have remained awestruck by DVD's humor, zest, and love of life and family. His deep laugh and wide smile and are seared in my memory. I have never met anyone who derived so much love and joy from his family, and I hope all of the wonderful things you hear and know about your husband and father will bring you some comfort.
Jane Wilcox
February 26, 2018
Dave,
With fond childhood memories of burgers and pizza at the J-M Club, among other things. You and Mike introduced me to Risk, Dr. Strangelove and GI Joes. God speed!
With sincere condolences to Karen and family, Mike and Ann.
Robert Hrvoj
February 26, 2018
Karen:
Please accept my condolences and prayers on David's passing. He was a great lifelong friend to the old gang from Waukegan. Like the rest of us, he learned much from our humble beginnings and excelled at all he did. Best wishes. Bob
February 25, 2018
Karen Dear: There are no words..as I have said: it''s so unfair: every thing to live for, but "just like that", he was whisked away. just whisked away: so unfair!
Sending you my best love, Aunt Joyce
Mike, Dave, Ann - 9/64
February 25, 2018
Dave - We had some good times. Will miss you greatly. Your brother, Mike
Denise Roy-Lizotte
February 25, 2018
Karen, I am deeply saddened for your loss. I am so thankful I got to work with David. He was kind, driven, passionate, highly energetic and always smiling. He will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you, Devin and John at this difficult time.
Lisa Hamburg
February 25, 2018
Ohhhh Karen,
Words aren't enough. So sad. My heart just aches for you and the boys. Sending hugs from afar. xox
Rachel Therrien
February 24, 2018
Karen,
My deepest sympathies to you, John and Devin. My thoughts and prayers to you all during this very difficult time.
Anita Murphy
February 24, 2018
Karen, Devin & John,
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear husband and father. Please know that the tennis "family" is thinking of you and sharing the sadness you are having at this time.
Bill Hodgdon
February 24, 2018
David I thank you greatly for being my counsel over the last several years. Through your services I found not only a brilliant lawyer , but a man I would fondly consider a friend. Much sympathy and prayers for your family. You will be sadly missed.
February 24, 2018
So sad to hear about this. Always got along well with David and he usually had a positive attitude. My condolences.
Bob Guillory
Chris McGuire
February 24, 2018
David, you will forever be regarded as friend and trusted counsel for the McGuire family. For years you served as our most faithful adviser. Your upbeat and infectious attitude and constant smile were a comfort in times of distress. Our family will be forever grateful for the steadfast dedication you gave while serving and protecting us. God bless you and keep you David.
February 24, 2018
A great friend and professional. He will bed missed for his smile, sense of humor, and booming voice. See you David. George Hess.
RW, Wilmington, North Carolina
February 24, 2018
Please allow your tender memories of your loved one to be as a soothing blanket over your heart. My heartfelt sympathy to the family. Please consider Jeremiah 29:11, 12. May those words within bring you some consolation and a small measure of peace.
Kimberly Girouard
February 24, 2018
Karen, Devin and John you are all in my thoughts. I absolutely adored David and am so saddened by his passing. He loved you all so much. Although you all have traveled the world he was so excited to be going to Hawaii because it was what Karen wanted to do. Devin your Dad was so proud of you and shared many stories of your adventures overseas and desire in the medical field to help those less fortunate. John your Dad was also so proud of you. He was just boasting the other day about you being asked to return to last years summer position. He told of your traveling to New Zealand and how excited he was for you and this new adventure. I will miss having David in my life to talk to almost daily. I can not even fathom the heartache that you are all feeling. David was my boss but more importantly he was a brilliant and kind friend. His absence is going to be felt far and wide.
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