Ralph John Van Dyke, 94, a lifetime resident of the Verboort Community, passed away on March 22, 2019 at Jennings McCall Senior Living Center, Forest Grove, Oregon.

Ralph was born on June 24, 1924 in his parents’ home in Forest Grove, Oregon. He was the youngest of fourteen children born to Walter and Margaret (Jooston) Van Dyke. He was raised in the family home and graduated from Verboort High School Class of 1943.

He was united in marriage to Virginia Ann Huschkaon July 2, 1952. They resided in the house that Ralph was born in until 1961 when they replaced the old home with a new one.

Ralph worked the family dairy farm his entire life, purchasing the farm in 1955 and continued the dairy until 1975. After he sold the dairy cows, he raised beef animals and farmed until 1987 when he sold out to his son Ben and then retired.

His retirement years were adventuress. He continued to live on the farm, where he was born, and assisted his son in farming, made wine, fished, hunted, clammed and traveled. He had a deep passion for birds including geese, ducks, chickens, peafowl, doves, but especially pigeons.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his youngest son; Ben.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Virginia, five children: Walter VanDyke of Ontario, Oregon, Patricia VanDyke of Portland Oregon, Anthony and his wife Sheryl VanDyke of McMinnville, Oregon, daughter-in-law Tonya VanDyke of Forest Grove, Oregon, Donna Cherry of Johnson City, Tennessee, Margaret and her husband, Dennis Strieff of Portland Oregon, a sister Leona Puncochar, and four grandsons; Bryce, Brett, Nathan, and Ryan.

The family suggests donations be placed in Ralph's name to the Visitation Catholic School, 4189 NW visitation Rd., Forest Grove, Oregon 97116.

 

I saw a little bird go hop, hop, hop

I said “Pretty bird would you stop, stop, stop.”

I went to the window to say “How do you do?”

He shook his little tail and away he flew.

---Ralphie’s memory from the first grade which he recited every night on the way to bed in his later years.