EDDIE VAN DYKE PASSES AWAY

  

A long time Brenham businessman and civic leader has passed away.  Lewis Edward “Eddie” Van Dyke died yesterday (Tuesday) at the age of 82.

Van Dyke, along with Bob Rankin, co-founded Van-Dyke Rankin & Company Insurance back in 1982 after their two individual insurance companies merged.

Van Dyke was born in Tahoka, Texas.  He played football for Edison High School in San Antonio, and later went to college at Texas A&M.

In addition to his business success, Van Dyke had an extensive list of organizations that he was a part of.

He spent 30 years on the Brenham Economic Development Council, including two terms as president, and five years as president of the Brenham Industrial Foundation.

Van Dyke also served on the Board of Directors for the Blinn College Foundation, the Brenham Maifest Association, and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

He was a founding member of the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association including a two-year term as president, and also spent time with the Rotary Club, Jaycees, and the Brenham Elks Lodge.

In addition to that, Van Dyke was a Washington County Little League Coach, including one year where his 11-12 year old team won the State Championship and came within one win of going to the Little League World Series.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Sally Van Dyke, their children and spouses Heather and Arlen Thielemann, and Jarvis and Christy Van Dyke, five grandchildren, his brother Joe Van Dyke, and numerous other relatives and friends.

The visitation for Eddie Van Dyke will be Friday from 5-7pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel.  There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday at 11am at the former First Baptist Church Sanctuary at 304 North Market Street.