Alvin Van Dyke

Alvin Jay Van Dyke was the kind of man who made friends wherever he went. With a big heart, a great sense of humor, and an infectious personality, meeting new people always came easy to Alvin. You see, Alvin Van Dyke was just the kind of man people enjoyed being around.

It was easy to see why.

Alvin was born Aug 23, 1929 in Holland, Michigan, the oldest of nine children to his parents, Daniel and Dorothy (Lamberts) Van Dyke. Being the eldest in a big family like the Van Dyke’s — not to mention the first-born son — couldn’t help but instill a sense of responsibility and appreciation for a good day’s work in Alvin. His father was himself a carpenter and builder, and Alvin always had a dream of someday joining his father as a business partner. Alvin worked hard to help his family in any way he could, helping raise his six sisters and two little brothers, all while growing into a fine young man himself.

And unlike so many kids that age, Alvin loved school. But the family needed help, so Alvin left school to find work, and at the tender age of 18, Alvin joined the United States Air Force for a four-year tour of duty. Having grown up with a passion for the outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman, Alvin quickly showed his prowess with a rifle, and was made a sharpshooter. The Air Force saw the skill and integrity Alvin innately possessed, and tasked him into its Air Police section, where he earned the rank of staff sergeant.

While the cold winter winds whipped off of the shores of Lake Michigan back home in Holland, Alvin’s duty took him to the beautiful beaches of Bermuda, to the island’s Kindley Air Force Base. As if that wasn’t paradise enough for him, Alvin soon met a beautiful young Bermudian local named Audrey Elliott. Audrey had a friend named Joan that took a shining to Alvin right away, and the girls thought Alvin would soon be asking Joan out. But Alvin had other ideas.

The young sharpshooter’s heart had set its sights on Audrey, and Alvin eventually mustered up the courage to call her up and ask her out. She of course said yes, but their first date had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950. A few days later — and only after meeting Audrey’s parents, mind you — the two officially began their whirlwind romance. Audrey quickly fell for Alvin.

Of course, what was there not to like? A handsome man in uniform, Alvin was full of character with a great sense of humor that always seemed to keep her in stitches. And after 13 wonderful months of dating, the two cemented their lifelong love affair on August 1, 1951, when they finally married.

The happy newlyweds endured just a few more months of Alvin’s military service, which took him to Montana briefly as he awaited his discharge from the Air Force. Audrey, meanwhile, went to stay with Alvin’s family in Holland to await his arrival home. Being an only child and born and raised in Bermuda herself, needless to say Audrey was a bit overcome by the new experiences. She felt overwhelmed by all of Alvin’s little brothers and sisters — she had never seen so many kids!

But in January of 1952, Alvin’s tour was up, and the airman returned to his hometown to join his new bride. His dream of joining his father in the carpentry business never came to fruition, however, as the price of lumber had skyrocketed in the early 1950s and times were tough. But Alvin was always ready to do what was needed to help his family, and chose the career of welding, instead. Alvin got his start at Roamer, then moving on to Dunn’s Manufacturing, where he worked for many years. After a stint at Good Rich in nearby Hudsonville, Alvin retired from Mid West Fabrication in Coopersville in 1995. It was a good career for Alvin, one that spanned over 40 years, and proved rewarding work. And it’s only fitting that a man like Alvin, who always had such a spark in life, would become a welder.

But Alvin’s life was so much fuller than just his career. He was a man of many passions, many hobbies, and many loves. Together he and Audrey shared a rich life, a rich marriage. They were blessed with two fine daughters, Brenda and Gail, and together the happy family shared Alvin’s love for the outdoors. They took several family trips, even though Alvin didn’t really like to travel far or drive. Together the Van Dyke clan would go camping (well, “camping” sometimes meant staying in motels, due to Audrey’s allergies and aversion to the real camping), or sightseeing. The family went to Mammoth Cave, and Alvin took his daughters to see the famous Churchill Downs. The girls always loved horses so much, he had to take them there. Alvin and Audrey took trips together, as well, whether it was short jaunts to Chicago, Detroit or a color tour to visit Mackinac Island or the Soo Locks.

It didn’t really matter where Alvin went, as long as his beloved Audrey was by his side. An avid gardener for many years, Alvin always made sure to plant gladdys for her, which he would pick and give to her on their anniversary. Oh, Alvin could grow almost anything, though. He grew great, big tomatoes, hot peppers, golden corn, beats and huge carrots. He raised rabbits, and would take them to show at the county fair.

Yes, Alvin loved his garden, one of his many loves. He also loved to play golf, enjoyed his archery club (he was a sharpshooter, after all). After his daughters Brenda and Gail married he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son-in-laws Vern and Kevin. Al was a beloved member of American Legion Post No. 6 in Holland. He had a fondness for reading Westerns and outdoors magazines, and was a lifelong baptized member of Pillar Christian Reformed Church. But those that knew him best knew Alvin’s truest love: people.

Alvin loved being around people. He loved to tell stories, and always did so with great flair, putting his own funny little twist to each one. It was a part of his charm, a charm which was so magnetic, you couldn’t help but be pulled willingly into Alvin’s circle of life. Alvin was a man of many stories, many talents, many loves. He was a veteran, a welder, an outdoorsman. He was also a devoted family man, and beloved husband.

But to everyone who ever knew him, Alvin was something more. A friend.

Alvin Jay Van Dyke 75, of Holland died Thursday May 19, 2005 at the Hospice House of Holland. He was born and raised in Holland and was a life long member of the Pillar Christian Reformed Church. Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Audrey; Daughters Brenda and Kevin Campbell of Holland and Gail and Vern Morris of Holland; 2 grandchildren; Jessica Vander Meulen and Deanna Morris; Brothers and sisters Alice DeWys of Holland, Joan (Robert) Botsis of Holland, Lorraine (Frank) Wicks of Douglas, Marian Kortman of Holland, Roger (Zita) Van Dyke of Hudsonville, Ken (Marge) Van Dyke of Arizona, Lois Plaggemars of Holland and Pauline Jousma of Saugatuck and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be Monday at 11:00 am at the Pillar Christian Reformed Church with the Rev. Christopher DeVos officiating. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 at the Downtown Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, and 29 E. 9th Street. Please visit Al’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, share a memory, or order flowers online, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland or the American Cancer Society.