John Van Dyke
John Van Dyke, Husband, Father, Environmental Engineer, Horse Farm Manager, Scout Leader, Tree Farmer and US Air Force Airman, passed away on 10 May, 2025. He was 84. He was born in Detroit Michigan on 15 November 1940.
John was predeceased by his parents, John and Helen also his sister Barbara.
John is survived by his wife of 64 years Jean (“Squeek”), his sister Norma and his two sons, John (“Ric”) his significate other Rachel, Michael (“Myke”) and his wife Chris. Also, four grandchildren Andrea, Tom, Elizabeth and Maria.
John and Squeek met in college, and were married on 13 June 1961. Both their sons were born in South Carolina while John was serving in the US Air Force as a C-130 Mechanic. He completed his service with the Air Force in the fall of 1965 as an Airman 1st Class (in today’s rank structure, a Senior Airman).
John and Squeek ran the Nature’s Last Stand horse and tree farm in Salem Township Michigan from the 1970s through 2000, providing horseback riding lessons, summer day camps, and horse shows to hundreds of riders young and old. The farm was well known for Dressage and 2-day Events featuring Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium jumping. The farm had approximately 50 horses and ponies at its peak.
John worked as an environmental engineer at Ford Motor Company for 30 years, ensuring as he liked to put it that Ford’s factories didn’t pollute “too much”. His interest in caring for the environment was a prime motivation in his life, he was active in the Michigan Forest Association where he served as president and other roles.
John was an active supporter of the Boy Scout Troop “P-6” (Detroit Area Council troop 1536) while his sons were members during the 1970s and 1980s. The troop often camped at the farm; he was also a Scoutmaster.
In lieu of flowers, his sons ask that you plant a tree in memory of their father. A memorial luncheon is being planned for later in 2025.
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I remember your father as a lovely soul, full of fun and laughter! A very generous man, who enjoyed all of us kids hanging out at the farm!! I am thankful to both your parents for the experiences they provided to all of us; horse back riding, campfires, campouts! Using their land for Capture The Flag,……May he rest in peace, and may your hearts swell with pride and great memories of his time here on earth!
The memories I carry from my time at NLS remain some of my most cherished. John and Squeek made those memories possible. My deepest heartfelt condolences to Squeek, Ric and Myke.
Me. Van Dyke was a great guy. I have a lot of great memories of Scout Troop P6 and our camping trips at Nature’s Last Stand. Those were some of the best times of my life. I’ll never forget him sending me to find a smoke shifter when I was complaining about the campfire smoke following me. The world is a better place because he was here. My condolences to the family and all the people he touched.
John was a great first cousin. He could always make me laugh and he was talented in so many areas. He will be missed by our family and many others.
My wife and I met John and Squeek through our membership in the Michigan Forest Association. John was very approachable and interesting to converse with. When we joined MFA he was one of the first to introduce himself and welcome us. We attended some meetings in the Van Dyke’s home in the upper peninsula throughout the years. His presence will be missed by Karen and I and I’m sure by everyone in MFA. Rest in peace John and maybe sometime in the future we’ll be planting some trees where ever we are.
John was well loved in the Michigan Forest Association community. He served as president, board member, and very active member for many years. He and Squeek were always there to help, to contribute and to be active, and he will be very much missed. I also consider them to be dear friends. Condolences to the family, especially Squeek, who we know very well. Rest in peace, John.
We first met John and squeak through MFA. they loved sharing their homes the horse farm., Trout Lake and John’s G-scale model trains, their family. My husband Dave and John had great fun being auctioneers at our Annual Meetings 😙. They had a way to get more people involved and upping their bids. Was hilarious. They were honorable, loyal fun friends to us and MFA and the forests.
Van Dyke Family,
and especially Jean / “Squeek”
I am very sorry to hear about John Van Dyke’s death which happened in May 2025
I attended several of the Michigan Forest Assoc quarterly/ spring meetings.
John and Squeek were most hospitable opening their summer home to
all of us from the leadership of MFA
John was a great friend and leader of MFA
John MacInnis
Van Dyke Family,
and especially Jean / “Squeek”
I am very sorry to hear about John Van Dyke’s death which happened in May 2025
I attended several of the Michigan Forest Assoc quarterly/ spring meetings.
John and Squeek were most hospitable opening their summer home to
all of us from the leadership of MFA
John was a great friend and leader of MFA
We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We knew him and Squeek through MFA. He was a very kind and caring person. He will be missed. Our thoughts go out to his family.
Thanks to each of you for attending the recent memorial reception for my brother, John Van Dyke. I know that for several of you getting there involved hours of driving. It was comforting to have you with us.
I was unable to complete delivering my intended remarks at the reception, which was a disservice to both John and his sons. Therefore, I will attempt to pass them along now.
John’s enduring legacy will be as a father to his sons: Ric and Myke. This legacy has been revealed in both sons’ dedication to their parents in their parents’ respective illnesses–at great personal cost to each of them in time and money. But it may also be seen in their parenting and community roles. Ric has been a very hands-on father to his four children with whom he retains very active contact. Myke has climbed up the ladder as a volunteer fireman who now has a strong leadership/training role within the fire department. Both sons have received recognition professionally for their achievements.
They are a testament to John’s greatest achievement: that of being a father.