Background
Van Dyke was born on October 26, 1926, in Cobleskill, Schoharie County, New New York
Van Dyke was born on October 26, 1926, in Cobleskill, Schoharie County, New New York
He was a January 1945 graduate of Middleburgh (New York) Central School. Following graduation, he entered the United States. Air Force and served in the military police, and was honorably discharged from the service in 1946. He then joined his father-in-law, Harry J. West at West Garage, an automobile repair business and later a Studebaker dealership in Middleburgh.
Van Dyke established a Chrysler dealership in 1957 and a real estate development corporation in 1959.
Van Dyke entered politics as a Republican. He was Mayor of the Village of Middleburgh from 1961 to 1964.
Supervisor of the Town of Middleburgh from 1973 to 1978. And Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Schoharie County in 1978.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (105th Doctorate) in 1979 and 1980.