Obituary of Geert Van Dyk

Geert Van Dyk of Ocala was born in Goutum, Province of Friesland, The Netherlands on October 26, 1923 and passed away December 11, 2018. He was ninety-five years old. He was the son of Sino Johan Van Dyk and Jitske Van Dyk (nee Strikwerda). He grew up in the nearby city of Joure. His education was interrupted by WWII.

 

Following the liberation of The Netherlands, he enlisted in the Dutch Army. In September 1946, he married Foppelina Homan of Ten Boer, Province of Groenigen, The Netherlands.  Shortly thereafter, he was assigned overseas to Indonesia, taking his new wife for a three-year tour of duty. After his service and discharge, the Van Dyk’s immigrated to Cochrane, Ontario, Canada where he was employed by the Provincial Department of Highways. In 1956, the growing Van Dyk family moved south to Windsor, Ontario where he was hired by Ford Motor Company of Canada.

 

Geert was a lifelong automobile enthusiast and a skilled draftsman and in 1965 was transferred to the main engineering complex in Dearborn, Michigan. The family immigrated to the US at the same time. After 30 years in automotive engineering, Geert and Foppelina retired to Florida, first in Dunnellon and then to Ocala in 1990.

 

He was preceded in death by his dear wife of 62 years. Funeral arrangements are yet to be determined.

 

He is survived by a sister Eisje Van Der Heide of Joure, The Netherlands; a son, John Van Dyk of Plymouth MI; three daughters, Lucy Albert of Havre de Grace, MD; Judith (Lynn) Forrest of Spring Hill, TN; Tina (Hollis) Denham of Ocala FL; Geert had seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.