Tribute

Walter John Dyck was born Nov 7, 1929, in Hamburg Germany, to Katherina (Rempel) and Frank D. Dyck, as his family emigrated from Ukraine to Canada. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 14, 2025.

The family lived for a month in Manitoba, then moved in Stone Saskatchewan until Walter was 5. From there the family moved to Yarrow BC where they lived Walter until was 16 at which time they moved to Prest Road in Chilliwack. Walter lived on Prest Road for most of the rest of his life.

Walter married Melita Goertzen in April 1956. They had three children, Julia, Alan and Susan. Family was integral to Walter. He worked hard to provide for his family. He loved his children, was delighted to be a grandfather to seven, and a great grandfather to 14.  Each child was unique and had a spot in his heart. Walter also loved his nieces and nephews, many of whom he had a special relationship with. His many cousins were good friends and company for Walter as well.

Walter learned to work hard on his father’s farm, and he was a willing hand to his brothers on their farms. Walter was always working, from picking hops when very young, to a variety of jobs, usually involving building something. While working for Ernie Hailstone at Valley Equipment, Walter followed a dream to have a trucking company.  Walter together with his wife Melita engaged a friend, Wally Dick, and they started D&D Transport. Walter enjoyed seeing the beauty of constantly changing Canadian scenery while on the road, meeting interesting people, and of course, ensuring that his family  was cared for.  When they sold the trucking business in the late 1970s Walter went to work for Harwest Equipment and then to Friesen Equipment, now Prairie Coast (John Deere dealership).  His colleagues once described Walter as a good cookie, a little crusty on the outside, soft inside. He was with Prairie Coast until he was 80 years old.

Walter loved living in the Fraser Valley. He delighted in following the trajectory of the sunrise on the mountain peaks, the moon waxing and waning, eclipses. He checked the news every hour on the hour to see what was new. Walter enjoyed growing raspberries, blueberries, and flowers. He knew the types of trees that he’d see while hiking or on horseback trails. Horses were always part of Walter’s life, driving the team for farm work for his father in his youth and having his own horses for riding, sulky, or buggy later in life. He enjoyed being on the Chilliwack Drill Team and the Chilliwack Carriage and Cutter Club. Music was another constant, from bluegrass to Beethoven, and gospel too.  He was a regular at the Chilliwack Bluegrass festival and was disappointed when it ceased.

Walter took up golf in his late 60’s and became an avid golfer. When he first started golfing, he delighted in finding golf balls in the bush – every day on the course was like an Easter egg hunt. Walter had a special deal at the Bridal Falls Golf Course, helping control the moles in exchange for golfing whenever he wanted (sometimes twice a day, first thing in the morning and sunset!). He always carried a shovel and mole traps in his golf bag while walking the course.
Walter enjoyed baseball, as a kid he and a cousin missed the ride home from Vancouver after watching a game they were lucky enough to get into free. They bussed, hitchhiked, and walked their way home in time to milk cows in the morning. He enjoyed watching and cheering for the Toronto Blue Jays and Raptors.

Walter’s sense of humor was always at the tip of his tongue, along with the twinkle in his eye. Often, he caught people by surprise, especially the care givers who weren’t expecting this white-haired man to be so quick-witted.

Walter took his faith seriously. He wanted all his family and his friends to meet in heaven. He supported organizations that address hunger and safety. He was integral to a small church extension in Hope for several years, providing transportation to Sunday school, and singing and other activities. He supported Transport for Christ, the M2 program, visiting prisoners and other support, the Mennonite Central Committee and other organizations that provided food and safety. He was a member of the Alliance Church in Chilliwack.

Walter is survived by his wife Melita, children Julia and Sue, daughter-in-law Marilyn, all of his grand-and-great-grandchildren and his brother John (Erna).
Walter is predeceased by his son Alan, his siblings Frank, Sara, Anna, Henry, David and Delores.

Thank You to friends and family who called and visited Walter, especially as it was harder for him to get around. Thank You to the gracious and caring staff at Fraser Health, Primrose Garden, and at Morgan Place where Walter was lovingly called “The Mayor”.

Walter wanted children worldwide to be safe and have enough to eat. If you are inclined, donate to Mennonite Central Committee: https://mcc.org/about/canada

You may also donate to the Chilliwack and Abbotsford Regional Hospitals https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Locations/Chilliwack/chilliwack-general- hospital

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/service-directory/locations/abbotsford/abbotsford-regional-
hospital-and-cancer-centre

A service will be held on May 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Grace Church, 2087 McMillan Road in Abbotsford.