Richard Adrian "Dick" Van Dyk

Richard Adrian “Dick” Van Dyk, first-born of Alice O’Donnell (nee LaFrance) Van Dyk and Victor Romelius Van Dyk on May 20, 1943 in Lewiston, Idaho, died January 17, 2025 in Olympia, Washington. Never one to mince words, Dick said simply and bluntly that at year 82, he suffered from the ‘medical complications of old age.’ His extended family and many friends deeply regret his passing, but are most confident that he is in a better place.

Spending his formative years in the 1950’s in the small college town of Moscow, Idaho, Dick and his friends found youthful freedom riding bikes, swimming in the town pool, with snowball fights, sledding, and for young Dick, business prosperity. He operated two paper routes, a lawn mowing business (he had won a mower in a hardware-store sponsored raffle). By the time his family with seven younger siblings moved to Spokane, at age 15, Dick had amassed a savings account with a balance of $100 – over and above funds that were, as he told it, ‘invested in candy and movies’ – no small fortune at that time.

A 1962 graduate of Spokane’s Gonzaga Prep, Dick went on to literally earn a degree in business by working his way through Seattle University. After his freshman year, he waited tables on the Dominion Monarch, a 27,000-ton ship converted to a hotel/restaurant docked at the Seattle waterfront for the 1962 World’s Fair. This was, he acknowledged publicly, while living ‘somewhat surreptitiously’ for free in his Seattle University dormitory. Dick was immensely proud of Seattle University, the education he received there, and particularly the Jesuit priests who, as Dick often said, ‘taught me to think.’ Serving in the ROTC, he earned the rank of Sergeant, and after college went on to serve in the United States Air Force.

In the early 1980’s, HIV/AIDS ravaged the gay community in Seattle. Not one to shy away from need, Dick was an early and active volunteer with Bailey-Boushay House, which provided medical care and assistance for victims, helping orchestrate a Christmas tree selling operation that netted the organization some $200,000 per year.

Dick’s business career included work as a banker, a mortgage officer, a small business owner, a salesman including of real estate, and property appraiser. Retiring from the Washington State Department of Transportation where he was a Property Acquisition Specialist, Dick said he had ‘found his best self’ at the Department, by helping people who, until they met him, felt they were battling a large, uncaring bureaucracy. His commitment to his ‘citizen customers’ was recognized with commendation from the Department, of which he was most proud. An avid reader, Dick had a deep love of history, theology and Northwest Indian culture; he collected Northwest Indian artwork. And he had a lifelong passion for politics. Active with the King County Young Republicans in his early years, and later with the Democratic Party in the 2nd legislative district, Dick never, ever shied away from discussing the issues of the day, with anyone.

Preceded in death by his parents and his beloved brothers-in-law Edwin Walker and Otto Monroe Allison III, Dick is survived by his siblings: Vicky L. McLaughlin, Mary Michelle Allison, Michael A. Van Dyk (m. Lorna Veraldi), Christopher R. Van Dyk (m. Jeanne Van Dyk), Jonna J. Van Dyk (m. Richard R. Jacobson), Douglas V. Van Dyk m.

Leslie Van Dyk), and Cindy E. Van Dyk; by his nieces Carrie Ann Walker and Talitha (Ali) Van Dyk, nephews Nathan, Daniel, Samuel, Benjamin and Emerson Van Dyk, Andrew Walker, and Kevin and Christopher McLaughlin; and by many grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and second cousins, all of whom could each count on Dick for a birthday card, for attendance at a school play, or for some other thoughtful remembrance. All will miss him.

A memorial service and mass will be held Wednesday, February 12, 12 noon, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church 1055 Boundary Street in Olympia, followed by a reception at his sister Jonna Van Dyk’s home, also in Olympia. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dick’s life and memory.