BERNARD CHARLES ‘BERNIE' VAN DYKE was born May 13, 1957 in Hillsboro, Oregon, the son of Ralph and Virginia (Huschka) Van Dyke. He was raised on the family farm and attended Visitation Grade School, Neil Armstrong Middle School and Forest Grove High School, having graduated in 1975. Following high school he attended Oregon State University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering and Technology.
He was united in marriage to Tonya Louise Anderson on February 12, 2000 at the Bethany Baptist Church in Portland. Following their marriage they have made their home on Farm “B” in Verboort. Bernie and Tonya celebrated their 3rd Wedding Anniversary this past February.
Bernie and Tonya owned and operated Firwood Farms, where they raised a variety of crops including, wheat, oats, alfalfa, grass seed, and sweet corn as well as raised hogs and cattle.
He was a lifelong member of Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort. Bernie was also a member of the Verboort Rod and Gun Club, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and a life member of the Oregon Hunter's Association.
Among his interests, Bernie enjoyed hunting and working his farm. However, above all, Bernie loved his wife and two young sons.
Bernie passed away July 9, 2003 at the Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland. He is survived by his wife, Tonya L. Van Dyke and his sons, Nathan Mark Van Dyke and Ryan John Van Dyke all of the family home in Verboort; his parents, Ralph and Virginia Van Dyke of Verboort, Oregon; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mark and Beve Anderson of Portland, Oregon; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Walter and Tammy Van Dyke of Ontario, Oregon and Col. Anthony "Tony" Van Dyke of Falls Church, Virginia; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Patricia “Pat” Van Dyke of Portland, Oregon; Donna and William “Bill” Cherry of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Margaret Van Dyke of Beaverton, Oregon; and two nephews, Bryce Van Dyke and Brett Van Dyke both of Ontario, Oregon.
The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the Bernard C. “Bernie” Van Dyke Trust Fund for his sons, Nathan and Ryan, c/o Visitation Catholic Church, 4285 NW Visitation Road, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116, in his memory.