Robert "Bob" Van Dyke

On Monday, October 17, 2016, Robert Charles “Bob” Van Dyke, lost his brief battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the Pickering House in Lancaster, Ohio.

Bob was born on November 29, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio to Eva (Camp) Miller and Robert Cecil Van Dyke. He was a 1969 graduate of Lancaster High School. In 2008, after 37 years of service, Bob retired from Diamond Power in Lancaster, Ohio as his main occupation in life. He developed an interest in law enforcement and also held part-time positions with Baltimore Police Department, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department, and Fairfield County Municipal Court. Bob held memberships in the Baltimore Lodge #475, F. & A.M.; Parthenia Chapter #124, O.E.S.; Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, Fraternal Order of Police Association, and the Lancaster and Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club – call sign “W8RVD”.

On May 8, 1993, Bob married “his sweetie”, best friend and soulmate, Brenda J. Gaffney, daughter of James E. and Juanita R. (Gillespie) Gaffney. Thus began the journey of 23 years of wedded bliss, trials, and tribulations - no marriage is ever perfect. Bob and Brenda lived in Lancaster for the first year of their marriage and moved to Baltimore in 1994, where they have remained since.

Bob was preceded in death by an infant sister, Rose Marie Van Dyke in 1949; step-father, Henry L. Miller, in 1986; father, Robert Cecil Van Dyke in 1987; mother, Eva F. Miller, in 2003; mother-in-law, Juanita R. Gaffney in 2007; brother, Thomas E. Van Dyke, in 2011; and father-in-law, James E. Gaffney in 2014. He was also preceded in death by his precious furbabies - Buster, Renee, PeeWee, Taffy Ann, Penny, PJ, and Punky.

Bob is survived by his wife, Brenda; his furbabies Pebbles, Bam Bam, Boo Boo, and Bella; a brother, Ronald L. (Dinah) Van Dyke of Lancaster; brothers-in-law Michael (Sharon) Gaffney of Lecanto, FL and James E. (Kim) Gaffney of Baltimore; nieces, April (Jason) Romine, Jodi Van Dyke, Jenni (Ryan) Fausnaugh, all of Lancaster, Jessica Van Dyke of Pleasantville, and Desirea Gaffney of Baltimore; nephews, Joshua (Serena) Van Dyke of Lancaster and Zachary Gaffney of Baltimore; a special great-niece, Layla Gaffney of Thornville with whom he spent many days accompanying her to what he termed “flip-flop” practice (competitive cheer); and very special friends Janet Schmeltzer and Paul and Connie Karl.

Viewing will be Thursday, October 20, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. and funeral service on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Johnson-Smith Funeral Home in Baltimore, Ohio. Rev. Jill Dunlap will officiate - Bob gave her “first dibs” on his funeral. He will be buried beside of his in-laws in Maple Grove Cemetery in Baltimore.

Bob endured much over the last two months in pursuit of a diagnosis. Brenda would like to thank, and Bob would too, Dr. Joseph Ginty and Melissa Cooper, Dr. David Robertson, and Dr. Kanwaljit Singh for their patience, guidance, and support. Thanks also to the staff of Fairfield Medical Center – ICU, 3rd floor, 5th floor, Palliative Care Unit and PCU. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to FairHoPe Hospice and Pickering house and their exemplary staff for their compassion, patience and professionalism in providing the care and resources that Bob needed, and responding to unending questions and requests and providing comfort and calmness to both Brenda and Bob in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Bob’s memory to FairHoPe Hospice or Trinity United Church of Christ of Baltimore, Ohio. Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com

Visitation

Funeral Service