Richard “Dick” Saunders Van Dyke passed away Sept. 17, 2022, at the age of 92. He was surrounded by family at home just as he wished. Born in 1930 to William and Cecilia Van Dyke, Dick grew up in Milwaukie, Oregon, with his younger sister Sue.
As a boy Dick learned many skills from his father who was a carpenter and contractor, and from his uncle Jim who ran the Saunders family farm in Gaston. Dick attended St. John the Baptist grade school and Central Catholic High School before entering the service.
Dick was a paratrooper in the 508th Airborne, where he became a demolition expert. After leaving the service Dick attended the University of Portland earning a degree in Business Administration. While attending University, Dick met Joan Duggan and after Dick graduated, they married, settled in Portland, and started a family. They had four boys, Denis, Doug, David, and Daniel. Dick went to work for Local Loan as a Loan Officer and soon became a Branch Manager, eventually becoming a Regional Manager. Dick stayed with “Local” through his professional career even after it was acquired by Mellon Bank. Dick was an avid golfer and fisherman. He spent many summers taking the family camping all over the state, especially enjoying Wallowa Lake. As Dick and Joan approached retirement, they started spending more time at the Oregon Coast. They eventually bought a home in Barview and moved there full time after retirement. Even in retirement Dick was busy, golfing, fishing, clamming, crabbing, working part time in the Rockaway Hardware store and doing electrical work. After 22 years they decided to move back to the Portland area to be closer to family and medical care. They bought a home on the Summerfield golf course in Tigard. Dick continued to play golf, spending time with family and friends, taking care of himself after losing Joan seven years ago.
Dick enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever they came to visit, taking them swimming and letting them drive his golf cart. Dick will be greatly missed, he was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; he was caring, kind and thoughtful. May he rest in peace.
A Catholic service will be held at 11 a.m., Oct. 8, 2022, preceded by a Rosary at 10:30 a.m, at St. Francis Parish in Sherwood, followed by a reception in the parish hall afterwards.

Please visit Dick’s online memorial and guestbook: www.riverviewabbey.com