Robert Peter Van Dyke

Colonel Robert P. Van Dyke, USAF (Ret) was born in Evanston, Illinois, and passed away on September 18, 2020 at the age of 92. He was known by many names in his lifetime and he wrote the following poem to show that:

“They called me Bob in childhood

Before I became a man,

Now strangers call me Robert

But my friends call me Van.”

He graduated from High School in Davenport, Iowa, received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and his Master of Science Degree in Sanitary Engineering from the State University of Iowa. He was a Registered Professional Engineer for 53 years. During his lifetime he worked as an Hydraulic Engineer, a United States Air Force (USAF) Installations Engineer, a Consulting Engineer, a Resident Engineer in Charge of Construction, a Water Utility Operations Manager, and as the General Manager of the City Water Board in San Antonio, Texas for 23 years. He served in the USAF for 30 years serving during the Korean War and in the Air Force Reserves and retired as the Commander of the 307th CES(HR) (RED HORSE) with the rank of Colonel. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit for outstanding service to the United States. After retiring, he became a full time rancher raising Corsican Sheep and Black Buck Antelope at his Dutchmen V Ranch in the Texas Hill Country.

He was Life Member in the American Water Works Association (AWWA). He was named 1972 Water Utility Man of the Year (George Warren Fuller Award) by the Texas Section of AWWA, and he received the 1985 Distinguished Public Service Award from AWWA. He was named a 1987 Abel Wolman Fellow by AWWA in appreciation of significant and meaningful support of advanced training and research in the field of water supply and treatment. He was a Life Member of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States. He was Honorary Vice Consul of Bolivia in San Antonio, Texas, for many years.

He was an Active Member of The Rotary Club for 51 years. He served in The Rotary Club of San Antonio and The Rotary Club of Fredericksburg and led each club for a year as President. He was particularly proud of his 40 years of perfect Rotary attendance. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and received the 2003 Service Above Self Award from the Fredericksburg Rotary Club. He initiated contributions from Club members to The Fredericksburg Rotary Club Foundation for scholarships to Fredericksburg students.

He was a Life Member of San Antonio, Texas, Lodge 216, BPOE. He was a Master Mason and Life Member of Community Lodge No. 1201 AF & AM of Texas, a Member of the Scottish Rite, a Member of Alzafar Shrine, and an Active Member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor in San Antonio. He was a Member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Theta Tau Fraternity, and the Society of Sigma Xi. He wrote and published 13 Professional Papers, and he compiled and published books of quotations, writings, wise sayings, and poems collected during his lifetime entitled “Thoughts for Your Day” in 1995, 2000, 2008, and 2013. He loved to travel and had visited all of the 50 States as well as a number of foreign countries. He found train travel a delight and made many journeys across America from East to West and from North to South and across Canada during his lifetime. He enjoyed his many years in Rotary, serving others, music, reading and writing, gardening, producing fruit and grapes, using all kinds of tools to build or make or repair things on his ranch, and his good country living with his wife, Georganne, in the peace and quiet of the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

He is survived by his wife of over 67 years, Georganne, his daughters Lori Lynn Van Dyke and Melissa Ann Van Dyke Fisher (Howard) and his son Thomas Peter Van Dyke (Wan-Pin), his grandchildren Tiana Ling-See Van Dyke and Cole Dalton Phillips (Erin) and great granddaughter Paizlee. He is also survived by a nephew and nieces. His parents, Christopher P. Van Dyke and Jessie C. Van Dyke, and his sisters, Alice V. Wolf and Della V. Chesnut, preceded him in death. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and “Bob, Robert and Van” will be missed by his family and friends. Additionally, the family thanks the staff at the Hill Country Memorial Hospice for the loving care provided.

There will be no public funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Fredericksburg Rotary Club Foundation at P.O. Box 1006, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624, Hill Country Memorial Hospice, 808 Reuben Street, 2nd Floor, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624, or the charity of your choice.