Maurice Henry “Van” Van Dyke
June 5, 1926 – February 1, 2022

Maurice Henry “Van” Van Dyke passed away on Tuesday, February 1 at Jefferson Hospital in South Hills where he was admitted a week ago. Until then, Van lived comfortably at home, managing with enormous help from his son Christopher and Chris’ wife Heidi.

Van was born on June 5, 1926, in Columbus, Ohio. After he graduated from high school, Van entered the US Navy and served in WWII. He was stationed in the Philippines and served on the USS Estes under the command of Col. James Roosevelt, the son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Upon his return, he graduated from Bliss Business College. He is also an alumnus of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Soon after, he married Helen Elizabeth Pratt and they had five children. Van built a successful career in finance and banking with Universal CIT and Mellon Bank. He held various management positions with Universal CIT that required moving the family to Zanesville, Youngstown, Pittsburgh, and Hartford. Joining Mellon meant that the family could return to Bethel Park which had become their beloved hometown. Van rose to the level of Vice President at Mellon before his retirement.

Van enjoyed spending time with his family, listening to the American songbook, ballroom dancing, and maintaining a meticulous lawn. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and loyal member of the BPOE, serving twice as Exalted Ruler.

As a WWII veteran, Van received several commendations for his service at the annual VFW Post 6664 Memorial Day celebration and served as Grand Marshall at the City of Pittsburgh Veterans’ Day Parade in 2019. Van was honored by Pennsylvania State Senator Robinson with a congratulatory certificate on his 95th birthday in 2021 and most recently, gifted a challenge coin from Senator Robinson.

Van is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years and his only brother, Willis Van Dyke of Tampa. Van is survived by his children Saundra (Ed Howe), Connie (John H Thompson Jr), Thomas (Gayle Nevin), Timothy, Chris (Heidi), six grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his best friend Peg Danielson.

Family and friends are welcome Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Beinhauer-Connell Funeral Home, 5120 West Library Avenue, Bethel Park, PA (412-835-7940). All are invited to meet Friday at 11 a.m. at the Notre Dame Mausoleum at Queen of Heaven Cemetery for his committal service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Van’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).