John William Van Dyke

Brewer - On June 19th, 2026, I, John William Van Dyke, departed the runway of life, with plans of meeting my ancestors. I was born at the Glen Cove Community Hospital, Glen Cove, New York, July 23rd 1943. My proud parents were Walter Carmen Van Dyke and Astrid Elizabeth (Betty) Backlund.

The schools I attended include Locust Valley Elementary, Locust Valley, N.Y., Glen Cove Elementary and Junior High, Glen Cove, N.Y. I also attended Massapequa High and Northport High School. Life’s circumstances lead me to quit school halfway through the 10th grade. Later in life I did get my GED and furthered my education with an associate degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology. Another turn in life after turning 17, guided me to enlist, July 29, 1960, in the U.S. Air Force. Basic training was at Lackland AFB, then onto aircraft maintenance technical training at Amarillo AFB, Texas.

My first assignment was to 49th TFW, Spangdahlem AB, Germany. A follow on was 75th FIS, Dow AFB, Maine, where I met my future wife, Dianne E. Smith. We traveled next to the 49th FIS, Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY. My first remote assignment was to 57th FIS, Keflavik AB, Iceland. Next assignment took us to 476th TFS, George AFB, Victorville, California. My second remote assignment was 13th TFS, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. Next, bringing our family together, my assignment of four years brought us to the 474th TFW, 428th TFS, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. From there, we traveled to Pease AFB, Portsmouth, New Hampshire with the 509th BW. Onward, our travels took us to Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska for three years. We then traveled to Sacramento Air Logistics Center, Sacramento, California for four years. Next assignment brought smiles to our entire family; RAF Fairford, Fairford, England. Three years of bliss. My final assignment took us back to 37th TFW, George AFB, Victorville California.

Through my career I was awarded the Meritorious Service Metal w/2 OLC, Air Force Commendation Metal w/3 OLC, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Long and Short Ribbon, USAF PME Graduate Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. I honorably retired from the U.S. Air Force August 31, 1989, as a Chief Master Sergeant.

After an intense interview, my next venture started August 1989, working with a venture company for Boeing Middle East Limited (BMEL), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was in support of the “Peace Sentinel” program. I was a job control supervisor, ending my contract, June 1995.

My final venture in the job pool was working for Defense Commissary Agency, (DeCA), Bangor Air National Guard Base, Bangor, Maine. My retirement, at 62 years old, was August 2005. This, now, allowed me to give full care to Dianne with her needs, and do as I want.

I was predeceased by my parents, my first wife, Dianne of forty-three years and grandson, Joshua Allen Van Dyke. My second wife, Bonnie G. Snow of over sixteen years; One older brother, Robert and sister, Evelyn and husband, Michael J. Collins.

I leave behind, my third wife, Stephanie G. French; a brother, Walter, and his wife, Doreen of New York; my three children; Rhonda and her husband, Tony Mark, Traci Miller of Wells, Maine; and Karen Van Dyke, and wife Lynette of New Hampshire. There are four grand children and three great grandchildren. Also, my sister-in-law, Ellen (Smith) Thomas, and her partner, Gordon Engstrom. Additionally, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and some Special Friends.

In lieu of flowers, I’d ask, please donate to the animals:

Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, Maine 04401; Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, Utah 84741; or ASPCA.

Well, I have left this life, therefore it is time for me to end this obituary.

My final thoughts to you.

“And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear

You shout and no one seems to hear

And if the band you’re in starts playing different tunes

I’ll see you in the dark side of the moon” (Copyright "Brain Damage" by Pink Floyd).

A funeral service will be held 11 am Tuesday, July 7th 2026 at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 S. Main Street, Brewer. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, State Street, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Receptions Rooms of the Brewer Chapel following the service. Condolences may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.

“Don’t weep for me when I am gone, be glad for me, rejoice. For I am with my Maker now, there is no better choice. So, gather round me loved ones, pay heed to what I say. Although you cannot see me, I’ll not be far away. Be good to one another, be all that you can be. Some day when your time comes, then again, you’ll be with me. I’ll be watching over you from heaven up above, so don’t remember me with tears, remember me with love.”