Obituary
Robert “Bob” C. VanDyke, 85, passed away April 1, 2016.
Bob was born in Pittsburgh, PA, January 18, 1931 to the late Paul and Erna (Tretschok) VanDyke. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy (Dottie), son Rodney C. Strickler and sisters Betsy Lou McMillen and Martha VanDyke.
Bob graduated from Mars High School in Mars, PA in 1949. He entered the Army in December 1949 and was attached to the 43rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. He was stationed in Germany until mid1951. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wadsworth, OH and was employed by Ohio Pure Foods in Akron for 38 years. His interests included camping, hunting, and fishing. He especially loved Sunday dinners and holidays with his family.
Bob was a devoted husband to Dottie for 57 years and was her caretaker for the last four years preceding her passing in 2014. He was a loving father and was proud of his six children. He is survived by sons George E. Strickler III (Alice) of Bath, David L. VanDyke of Kent, WA, and Clarke R. VanDyke (Shawn) of Wadsworth; daughters Carol L. Prager of Carpinteria, CA, and Kathy Z. Wise (Cliff) of Wadsworth, and daughter-in-law Cindy Sim Strickler of Santa Barbara, CA. He is also survived by his sister Flora VanDyke of New Haven, CT, brother Dan VanDyke of Wexford, PA, brother-in-law Herb Raling (Naomi) of Spokane, WA and a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Bob loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by grandchildren George E. Strickler IV (Amanda) and great-grandchildren Penelope and George V of Copley; grandchildren Todd Strickler (Wendy) of Rockville, MD; Stephen Strickler (Jessie) of Chicago, IL, and great-grandchild Sloane; grandchildren Lauren Strickler of Arlington, VA, Megan Strickler of Santa Barbara, CA, Luke Appleton IV (Maggie) and great-grandchild June Appleton of Carpinteria, CA; grandchildren Christie Prager of Las Vegas, NV, Colin VanDyke (Pam) of Wadsworth, and Nathan, Meredith, and Riley VanDyke of Wadsworth, OH.
Over the past two years, special thanks and recognition go out to the warm and caring staffs at The Inn at Coal Ridge, Summa Akron City Hospital, Concordia at Sumner and Great Lakes Caring Hospice for their compassionate care for Bob.
Calling hours followed by a short service will be held at the Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 North Lyman Street, Wadsworth, OH, 44281 on Thursday, April 21, 2016, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
A private inurnment with the family will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.