Harold Dyck
January 28, 1932 – April 4, 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father Harold Dyck in Vancouver, B.C. Harold was born in Redfield, Saskatchewan, the first child of Jacob & Mary (Sawatsky) Dyck.

From Redfield the family moved to Yarrow, B.C. where he completed his elementary and high school education. He went on to complete his BA (History and English) at UBC, followed by Graduate school at the University of Toronto.

In 1954, he married Eleanor Vogt and became a father in 1955 with the birth of his son Raymond followed by his daughter Debbie. At the same time, he completed his Teacher Education at UBC (1955). In 1959, he was accepted into the Graduate Studies program at Stanford University, graduating in 1962 with his PhD. By this time two more daughters, Mary and Julia joined the family, with his last child, a son, Harold Jr. was born 2 years later.

Harold had a varied career, taking him from teaching positions at Sharon Mennonite Collegiate Institute (Yarrow BC), Stanford University, UC Berkley and UBC to Director of Policy Planning at CMHC, to Deputy Minister of Urban Affairs (Saskatchewan) and finally to Public Affairs consulting.

In his retirement, Harold was able to enjoy his passion for fine food, fine wine, travel, music and theatre. He also began and competed a vast study on his family genealogy, researching and writing "Yarrow’s War Dead" published in Yarrow, British Columbia: Mennonite Promise Village of Unsettled Yearnings c2002; as well as writing fictional stories and poetry. Harold’s passion for the written word was trumped only by his love for his children and grandchildren.

"Papa" will always be remembered for the wonderful stories he told and the love he had for each of them.
Harold was predeceased by his wife Eleanor (1995), his mother Mary (1999) and father Jacob (2005). He will be missed by his children: Ray (Julie and children Deanna, Rachel, Wesley and Brandon); Debbie (Patrick Morrissette and children Joshua, Christopher, Jacob and Zachary), Julia (Greg Magnan) and Harold (Julie and children Jacob, Lauren, Brandon and Jordan), his sisters: Leonora (John Pauls), Violet (Al Goosen) and brother Ron (Carol), as well as step siblings Roland (Patricia), Nancy (Perry Johnson), Rodney (Janice) and Marlene (Dale Broening), his good friend Lisa , as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. A private Celebration of Life was held in Vancouver, after which Harold was laid to rest in Ottawa, next to his beloved wife Eleanor.

We would like to thank his sisters Violet and Leonora who so lovingly cared for Dad over the last four years, as well as the wonderful caregivers at Broadway Pentecostal Lodge (2nd floor) who were so kind and respectful of our father.

Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on Apr. 16, 2016