John Charles Van Dyke L. H. D., son of Hon. John Van Dyke and Mary Dix Strong, was born on 2 April 1856.¹

     John Franklin Van Dyke, son of John Van Dyke and Margaret Hazelwood, was born on 7 April 1839 at Cumberland, Illinois.²

     John died on 23 August 1851, at Cumberland, Illinois, at age 12,² and was buried at Salem Cemetery, Toledo, Cumberland, Illinois.³

     John Franklin Van Dyke

John Franklin was the oldest child out of 13 of John and Margaret VanDyke of rural Toledo,Illinois. He died at age 12 of cholera from the 1851 outbreak that hit the area. His father was on route to the Californai Gold Rush at his death. As was the belief, he is buried in an isolated spot from the other graves in fear of contamination.⁴

     John Gordon Van Dyke, son of Henry Van Dyke and Ellen M. Nevius, was born in 1821.²

     John M. Van Dyke, son of James Ward Van Dyke and Jennette Peters, was born on 1 March 1903 at Greenup Township, Cumberland, Illinois.²

     John died on 11 August 1903, at Greenup Township, Cumberland, Illinois.¹

     John was posted:

John Merrill was the 11 child of James Ward and Jeanette Peters Van dyke. He lived 5 months 24 days. Buried in his grandfather Karl Peters Plot.¹

and was buried at Greenup Cemetery, Greenup, Cumberland, Illinois.¹

     John William Van Dyke lived with his parents, Walter and Astrid Elizabeth Bäcklund between 1943 and 1951; first, North Street, then 244 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, N.Y. The family then moved to 1 Pine Place; then, after their new house was completed, they moved to 32 Preswick Terrace, both in Glen Cove.²
     John William Van Dyke, son of Walter Carman Van Dyke and Astrid Elizabeth Bäcklund, was born on 23 July 1943, at Glen Cove Community Hospital, Glen Cove, Nassau, New York. VAN DYKE a son, born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Van Dyke, Locust Valley, July 23, North Country Community Hospital.^1,3

     On 12 July 1947,John was bitten by a dog on the back of his neck. He was playing just near his parents home, at 244 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, Nassau, New York.⁴

     John was in this photograph which was taken circa 1949. Outside the back area of the Locust Valley School. John is in the last row, third from the right.⁵

     John was educated circa 1949; He started at Locust Valley Elementary School. As his parents moved, John attended Glen Cove Schools, completing eighth grade. After his father's passing he and his Mom moved to Massapequa where he attended the ninth grade. They then moved to East Northport where John attended Northport High School until mid sophomore year. After joining the military, he completed GED and acquired an associate degree in Aircraft Technology.⁶

     John and Walter lived with their mother, Astrid after July 1957, at 85 Beach Road, Massapequa, New York. After the death of his father, we had to live in a rental property; We lived at this address for almost one year.²

     John and Walter lived with their mother, Astrid, after circa 1959, at 10 Deland Street, East Northport, Suffolk, New York.²

     On 29 July 1960,John entered the United States Air Force. It was a van ride to Whitehall Street, New York City, New York,for the complete physical. Then a commercial, chartered Douglas DC-3, several in-route stops to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He was assigned to "Squadron 3706, Flight 759".


See pictures: The Picture Collection May be viewed By Left-Clicking on This Link.⁶

     John was in this photograph which was taken November 1960. It was taken outside his barracks. Finally, with so much effort applied by the 'flight', the barracks received 'Honor Flight' at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas.⁷

     After six months at Aircraft Mechanics technical training,John was on his way to the first real assignment, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, in January 1961.⁶

     

Van Dyke French

Stephanie Gladys French, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert French of East Northport, to John William Van Dyke, son of Mrs. Betty Van Dyke of East Northport and the late Walter Van Dyke.⁸

     In February 1964,John and Dianne met as it was remembered; created by compiler (John Van Dyke):

It was January 1964, in Bangor, Maine. It was winter and the most snow I have seen in one year in my life. I had just signed in at 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Dow Air Force Base. My car was a blue 1963 Volkswagen Sedan. Even though it was a new car, I had a strong desire for a 1957 Ford convertible. A close worker, who lived in Skowhegan, Maine, was on the lookout for this year vehicle. Low and behold, he found a white 1957 Ford convertible 'For Sale' at Hartley's in Newport. My decision was easy; I used the VW as a trade and drove off with the convertible!!!
The feeling of driving, now, with a car I had wanted, was great. The month was February 1964, the snow on the sides of the roads was about 3 to 4 feet high and the temperature low, 0 to 30 above. Several nights I had seen a blue 1957 Ford convertible driving around Bangor. My problem was it was always going in the opposite direction. By the time I could turn around and try to follow the blue convertible, it disappeared. Finally, one night, both cars were traveling in the same direction. I got Dianne to pull to the side of the road. My line to her was, 'Why don't we save some gas money. Since we are both driving around Bangor, if she would join me in my car, one of us could save on gas.' She agreed and now we were both driving around in my white convertible.
It wasn't too long after convincing Dianne to ride with me, I had driven to Skowhegan to my friend Don Libby's Mom's house. On my way back, while driving between Newport and Bangor on I-95, I blew the engine. Needless to say, if I wanted to see and drive around with Dianne, we were going to have to use her car. Well, that is just what we did.
She was, at that time, a cheap date. I always asked if she would like to go out to get something to eat and all she wanted was some French Fries and a diet Pepsi. We dated throughout the time and decided to get married. We didn't have very much money. Therefore with the assistance of Ron Thomas, he co-coordinated with a Justice of the Peace, to perform our marriage ceremony. From there, we all went to 'Pilot's Grill' in Bangor for dinner.⁶

     John, at age 20, married Dianne Elizabeth Smith at age 21 on 9 May 1964 at Fairview Ave, Dover Foxcroft, Piscataquis, Maine.⁹

     John, Dianne and Rhonda lived starting 10 May 1964 at Cedar Street, Dover Foxcroft, Piscataquis, Maine, They lived there for about 4 months. John would drive back and forth to Bangor, (Dow Air Force Base). We lived there until about August 1964.⁶

     John and Dianne moved, circa August 1964 to Division Street, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine. As fall was approaching, Rhonda was of age to attend school. We decided it was time to move closer to John's work. Ah, there it was, Utterback's Senior citizen home. No, we didn't live there but in an apartment above a garage in their back yard. You just couldn't imagine how hot it was there. Small windows, no air conditioning and one fan. Not to mention, on occasion, a senior citizen who had passed was taken out by a funeral director.


Rhonda was registered at the Mary Snow School. Her travel, walking to and from school was about seven blocks, each way.


Some of our favorite things to eat was 'Tri-City Pizza'. One must realize, pizza, during this period in Bangor, was big, but, mostly made in small shops.
We lived there through the winter of 1964 - 65. When Spring came we went looking for a mobile home. Here we were, new mobile home, living at Tozier's Trailer Park, off the Finson Road, Lot #13.⁶

     John, Dianne, and Rhonda were living after circa October 1964, at Tozier's Trailer Park, Finson Road, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine. We worked hard getting ready for winter. Skirting around the trailer, heat tape installed on the inlet water line.⁶

     John, Dianne and Rhonda were living at Tozier's Trailer Park, Finson Road, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, circa April 1965. Spring, new mobile home, we're living in a small trailer park. Everything was going well. Rhonda had numerous new friends. Speaking too soon, Mom gets told Rhonda had dropped her pants (6 years old) while with the boys. John gets home from work and Dianne says we gotta move from here, Rhonda just exposed herself. Things calmed down and we didn't move.⁶

     These photos were taken while John was on an incentive flight somewhere over Maine., circa June 1965. John had made "Airman of the Month". The aircraft was a T-33A..¹⁰

     John and Dianne lived, circa May 1966 at Green Mansions Trailer Park, 3rd Avenue, Floyd, New York. We packed up the babies, driving a 1960 Ford Station Wagon and headed to New York. After a short stay at Griffis Air Force Base, in temporary base housing, (awaiting for the arrival of our new mobile home), we settled in Green Masions Trailer Park. Their daughters, Rhonda and Traci were also traveling and living with them.⁶

     No one told us anything was going to be easy. John received orders to Keflavik, Iceland, on 1 June 1967. Dianne, and their children, Rhonda and Traci at the time, moved to Doyan's Trailer Park, River Road, Sidney, Maine. Our trailer we had in New York was moved to Maine. For John, in addition to working on the flight line, he had a part time job, cleaning work offices at Keflevik.⁶

     John, returning from Iceland, the start of our next adventure was great. Destination, "Southern Calofornia". However, as we got to middle America, then on toward the Southwest, we knew what we were missing without air conditioning in the car. Upon arrival, we stayed at a motel in Apple Valley until an on-base quarters were available. John, Dianne, Rhonda and Traci then moved on base to 316 Texas Avenue, Victorville, San Bernardino, California, about May 1968.⁶

     John had received military orders to Udorn, Thailand. His tour was remote for one year.Dianne, Rhonda, Traci and Karen settled in to a new home, in May 1970, at Rangley Place, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine. Dianne was working as a PBX answering service in Bangor.⁶

     Upon John's return from Thailand, the next assignment was in Las Vegas. To express the excitement is difficult. John, Dianne, Rhonda, Traci and Karen were on their way in June 1971, to Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada. After a short stay in temporary lodging, we were assigned residence at 76 B Salmon Drive.⁶

     This time, John has an assignment to New England. The weather from Las Vegas was great. However, the first night's stop, Flagstaff, Arizona, became a disaster. Prior to arrival, it snowed 12 inches. The next morning, the temperature was close to ZERO, plus another 12 inches of snow. Our car cooling system was not treated with enough antifreeze. The wakeup and thought of early departure was gone. It was about one o'clock in the afternoon, when the area warmed up and the car thawed were we able to proceed.
We were than on our way without further issue. When we arrived at Pease Air Force Base, we were assigned to temporary billets, refurbished barracks. Our biggest complaint was the heat inside. No control, therefore all the windows had to be left open to maintain a comfortable temperatureJohn, Dianne, Rhonda, Traci and Karen then continued on to Pease Air Force Base, Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, about November 1975.⁶

     Another assignment for John. It was a difficult decision to make. It was two years prior, we moved into our first home located in the woods of Wells, Maine. The sound of wind whistling through the trees was so relaxing.
Well, John had to provide the answer whether he would accept the assignment within seven days. It took seven days to decide! John, Dianne, Traci and Karen were on their way in December 1978, to Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska.
So, in our green 1970 Ford Station Wagon, and a 1968 VW Squareback in tow, we headed off. This time, there were only four of us. Rhonda married and was staying behind in Wells, Maine. Traveling was good on I-80 until we got to Davenport, Iowa. The weather was freezing rain. It took us all day to travel about 170 miles. We arrived at Omaha, 31 Dec 1978.⁶

     This time, John received orders to McClellan Air Force Base, California. John, Dianne, Traci and Karen were packed and rolling November 1981, heading for Sacramento Air Logistics Center, Sacramento, Sacramento, California. The travel from Omaha, Nabraska to Sacramento was joyful. Again, we had the 1968 VW Squareback in tow. We stopped at many places along the way. We took Interstate 80 all the way. It took an entire day of driving and we were still in Nebraska. Our travel took us across the salt flats in Utah.
The first town in Nevada, Dianne had to try out the slot machines at a local casino. Then, through Donner Pass and onward to Sacramento.⁶

     The photo is of John, circa November 1984, at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. He was attending the United States Air Force Senior NCO Academy.¹¹

     John and Dianne with an unknown person and Karen were again traveling East by air, in July 1985. Toward RAF Fairford, Fairford, Oxfordshire, England. Our departure from JFK International airport was uneventful. The flight departed early evening and arrived at London, Heathrow about 5 A. M. Dianne, being a diabetic and needing something to eat, she ordered a 'English' breakfast at the airport. On a plate was one"greasyfried" egg, one English-style sausage, half a tomato, (fried until brown), baked beans, one slice of fried bread (a slice of white bread fried in oil, probably the oil used to cook the bacon). As hungry she was, the look on her face was priceless when the plate was presented!
Next came,'How are we going to get to Fairford? Usually, a sponsor would pick people up at the airport. This didn't happen, we fended for ourselves. Ah, let's take a train. We loaded the baggage and we are traveling, by train, to Swindon. Upon arrival at the Swindon train station, stepping outside with baggage, just in time for Karen to receive 'pigeon poop' on her head and baggage.
We then flagged a taxi for the final leg to Fairford. The taxi cab was small, the amount of baggage allot, the driver used rope to hold the baggage to the outside of the vehicle. A sight to see, for sure.⁶

     John and Dianne lived in July 1988 at RAF Little Rissington, Little Rissington, Oxfordshire, England, Three wonderful years went by fast and we are heading back to Victorville (George Air Force Base), California. Now, John has two years left to complete 30 years service.⁶ John William Van Dyke and Dianne Elizabeth Smith lived circa May 1989 John had sent many job resumes, looking for a future endeavor. Finally, he received an interview request from United Airlines, in San Francisco. Additionally, Boeing at Cocoa Beach wanted to do an interview.⁶

     John William Van Dyke retired from the United States Air Force at George Air Force Base, Victorville, San Bernardino, California, end of June 1989.⁶

     John finished Military Service in July 1989. Shortly after traveling back east, he was boarding a plane in Bangor, heading to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Even though he had spent many (TDY's) temporary duty assignments at Riyadh, this time he will take up residency. John's position was Job Control, directing and controlling maintenance on E-3A and KE-3A aircraft.⁶

     John and Dianne purchased a farm in October 1992, on the Greenbush Road, Corinna, Penobscot, Maine. This was a 'once in a lifetime' dream for Dianne.⁶

     The decision had arrived for John, completely retiring on 23 April 2005. This became his last work day. His actual retirement was August 2005, and he never looked back.⁶

     John was on a trip to New York for Jamie's (Walter and Doreen's oldest daughter) wedding. The trip also included a nostalgia and genealogy research venture. Many pictures were taken. There were a few pictures that fell in the memorable class. Here are two of those pictures, on 6 July 2006.¹²

     Two years after Dianne's passing, John, at age 66, married Bonnie Gail Snow at age 61 on 17 October 2009, at Huntington, Suffolk, New York.¹³

See pictures: The Picture Collection May be viewed By Left-Clicking on This Link.⁶