FREDRICK STEELE VAN DYKE
December 23, 1918 – January 16, 2018 Stockton , California
Fred Van Dyke, a Stockton native, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on January 16 with his family at his bedside.
Fred is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carolyn Smythe Van Dyke and a sister, Emma Jean Cote of San Diego. He left behind 3 sons, Ben Van Dyke, David Van Dyke, Claude Van Dyke, and two daughters, Juliana Leslie and Sally DeMoss. He had 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
A decorated WWII Naval officer, he served in the Pacific theatre. He was awarded the Purple Heart after a ship explosion blasted him into enemy waters where he floated several hours before rescue. He attributed his survival to his uncanny ability to stay afloat while unconscious.
Mr. Van Dyke spent much of his life as a farmer in the Linden area and later in Lockeford where he lived the last 12 years in his home along the Mokelumne River on the land that he loved.
He was a licensed Real Estate Broker who specialized in the sale of ranch land in Northern California.
Fred is widely known in the local community for his contribution to the sport of swimming. He left behind a legacy of love, encouragement and knowledge among hundreds of Stockton youths during his years of coaching at The West Lane Tennis and Swim Club and The Stockton Swim Club.
As a youth he was a solid contender for the 1940 Olympic Games, which were cancelled due to the onset of World War II.
At the age of 50, he became a master’s swimmer and broke a World record, an American record and received numerous gold medals in World Masters Swimming Championships until he stopped swimming at the age of 87.
He is a member of the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame and the University of the Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame.
Fred attended College of the Pacific, the University of Mexico City and the University of California, Berkeley. While in Mexico he became fluent in Spanish and loved to speak the language his entire life.
A memorial service will be held at Casa Bonita Funeral Home , 2500 Cemetery Lane, in Stockton on February 3, 2018 at 2:00 in the afternoon.