Gerald Van Dyk

Gerald "Gerry" "Dyk" Van Dyk passed away peacefully at home in Oak Harbor, Washington on February 11, 2026. He was born on June 9, 1944 in Coupeville, Washington, the oldest child of William "Bill" Van Dyk and Marie Van Dyk. He attended Oak Harbor public schools, and graduated from Oak Harbor High School where he excelled on the tennis court and subsequent matriculation and graduation from Central Washington University (then known as Central Washington State College) where he majored in mathematics. He also earned a masters degree in information systems from American University.

Drafted by the United States Army during the Vietnam war and while still a student at Central Washington, Gerry made his way to Seattle for intake and part of the process was a written exam, on which he scored extremely high - high enough for the Armed Forces to give him the option to finish his undergraduate degree and choose his preferred branch of service. It was also at Central Washington that he met Carol Roberts, with whom he began a loving 40+ year partnership. Upon graduation and with Carol by his side, he embarked on a 20 year military career (10 years active and 10 reserve culminating in his earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel) in the Air Force that included stops in San Antonio, Texas, Boston, Massachusetts, Washington, DC (at the Pentagon), and finally in Montgomery, Alabama. During his time stationed in Alabama at Maxwell Air Force Base, he was offered the opportunity to join the private sector at the Boeing Company while returning closer to his roots in the Pacific Northwest.

They settled in Bellevue in a home they lived in for the next 40+ years that was famous for its meticulously manicured lawn that most passersby assumed was astroturf. It was in this loving home that Carol and Gerry set down roots, raised their three children, and built a life that included fellowship, friendship, and a sense of community that endeared them to friends and neighbors. Tragically, Carol succumbed to cancer in 2006 but years later at a family gathering in Oak Harbor, Gerry connected with his former high school classmate, Connie Sullivan. The two became inseparable and were soon engaged and then married at Crockett Farm on Whidbey Island in 2019 in a wedding and ceremony that will never be forgotten by virtue of the love, laughter and support that filled the air on that beautiful June day and evening that ended with Gerry and Connie zooming away from the barn in their Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Gerry and Connie settled into their lives and enjoyed traveling all over the country to visit friends and family. After finding a lovely plot of waterfront land on Whidbey Island facing Mount Baker and the North Cascades, they embarked on building their dream home that was the site of many memorable gatherings of family and friends, including Gerry's 80th birthday.

Those who knew Gerry will take solace in the many wonderful memories shared with him. He was great at every sport he tried, and played tennis and golf in particular at a exceptionally high level. He was proud of his Dutch heritage and was never afraid to tell horrible 'dad jokes'. He was extremely proud of his kids and coached them in all the various sports they played growing up and never missed a game or match. His ability to distill complex math problems into simple terms made him an invaluable resource to his children and grandchildren through the years. His sense of humor, willingness to listen, engage and offer advice in any situation, and his love of his family were unmatched. You won't find anyone on earth with a bad thing to say about him and he will be greatly missed by all that were fortunate enough to cross his path.

Gerry is survived by his sister-in-law, Lynette Bruett, nephew Ryan Bruett, niece Dr. Anna Hedstrom, daughters, Heather Smith and Ashley Van Dyk, and his son, Adam Van Dyk; his son-in-law, Dr. Bryan Smith and daughter-in-law, Kristen Van Dyk; and his beloved grandsons Ewan and Harrison McCrae and Will and Luke Van Dyk. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Bill Van Dyk; his sister Janis Van Dyk; his first wife Carol Van Dyk and second wife Connie Sullivan Van Dyk and his brother-in-law, Roger Bruett.

His legacy is one of kindness, humility, respect, laughter, love, and the enduring power of positivity. Service will be held Saturday, March 21st at 11:00am at Whidbey Presbyterian Church, 1148 SE 8th Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. In lieu of flowers, please remember to tell your family members you love them and treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.