b. 30 August 1928 –
Burwalde Manitoba
d. 21 January 2020 – Calgary, Alberta
Dr. John Dyck, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in the early evening of January 21
st
in Calgary at the age of 91. One of six boys born to John and Helena Dyck of Winkler Manitoba, John grew up on the family farm among his rambunctious brothers. After graduating from Winkler High School in 1946, and a short 6 weeks of teacher training, he taught at the Aesop School District in Rosenort — but the life of a country teacher was not for him. He returned to education, first to Bible School in Winkler and then United College in Winnipeg for his BA, and then medical school at the University of Manitoba. It was at medical school in 1955 that he married the love of his life, Florence Buhr – a pretty and vivacious young nurse. Upon graduating, their life of adventure together began when they went to Gungu, Congo with Mennonite Central Committee. John was the only doctor and Florence headed the nursing team, and together they looked after everything from surgeries, obstetrics, infectious disease, TB, emerg, and everything in between –all in French, Kituba and Kipende! After a few years they returned to Canada, only to decamp to Minneapolis where John did his pathology residency. During that time their children Donna and Peter joined the family – just in time to head back to Africa. John directed pathology labs in Moshi, Tanzania, and then again in Zaire, this time in Kinshasa. Those four years in Africa were a formative time for their young family and many memorable experiences were had camping in wildlife reserves, Kilimanjaro summit attempts, visits from friends and family, motorcycle mishaps, the rigours of medicine, and life in the diverse communities they called home. Not overly taken by our modern worries about health and safety, John regularly loaded his young family in their VW Beetle to explore the amazing people, animals, and landscapes in which they lived. Donna and Peter had the privilege of an idyllic childhood with adventurous parents.
After returning to North America, over the next 26 years John practiced as a pathologist in Minneapolis, Spokane, Calgary and finally Cranbrook. His adventurous spirit was always looking for the next new and exciting chapter, and in retired life he continued to do volunteer work overseas, directing pathology labs in Madagascar, Nepal, and Kenya. He worked hard, raised with Florence a wonderful family, and made lifelong friends wherever they lived. Throughout his long life and career, John never lost his love of laughter, learning, stories, music, hiking in the outdoors, fishing and woodworking, and most of all visiting with friends and family. John loved people and was a tremendously warm and hospitable person. He had a way of making you feel welcome and at ease in his presence. A Dyck brother through-and-through, he had a wry sense of humour, a healthy skepticism, and not a lot of patience for time-wasters – there was always more to do, explore and experience.
John had a deep faith in God, which sustained him throughout his life, and he and Florence were always very involved in their church community. In the last few years he spent a lot reading his German Bible. He loved history, learning with interest the stories of everywhere he travelled (both in body and imagination), and sought to instill in his family a love and respect for where they came from. We know that he is now with his family and friends: his beloved Florence, his brothers, his mother and father, grandparents, and many friends, all welcoming him to his next great adventure.
John is survived and dearly missed by his children Donna Ruparell (Tinu) and Peter Dyck (Susan), their three beloved grandchildren, Kiran, Sacha and Anya Ruparell, as well as his brother Walter Dyck (Margaret), and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his brothers Harold, Ed, Victor, and David.
Those wishing to pay their respects can do so at Cochrane Country Funeral Home (402 Railway St W, Cochrane, AB T4C2B6) on Monday, January 27th from 4-6pm.
Memorial services will be held at Highland Mennonite Brethren Church (4018 Centre B St NW, Calgary, AB T2K0W2) on Tuesday Jan 28
th
at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers or tributes, donations can be made in John’s name to Mennonite Central Committee Alberta (403 275 6935;
officab@mccab.ca
; donate.mcccanada.ca)
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home, Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director. Ph: 403-932-1039. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. John Raymond Dyck, please visit our flower store.
d. 21 January 2020 – Calgary, Alberta
Dr. John Dyck, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in the early evening of January 21
st
in Calgary at the age of 91. One of six boys born to John and Helena Dyck of Winkler Manitoba, John grew up on the family farm among his rambunctious brothers. After graduating from Winkler High School in 1946, and a short 6 weeks of teacher training, he taught at the Aesop School District in Rosenort — but the life of a country teacher was not for him. He returned to education, first to Bible School in Winkler and then United College in Winnipeg for his BA, and then medical school at the University of Manitoba. It was at medical school in 1955 that he married the love of his life, Florence Buhr – a pretty and vivacious young nurse. Upon graduating, their life of adventure together began when they went to Gungu, Congo with Mennonite Central Committee. John was the only doctor and Florence headed the nursing team, and together they looked after everything from surgeries, obstetrics, infectious disease, TB, emerg, and everything in between –all in French, Kituba and Kipende! After a few years they returned to Canada, only to decamp to Minneapolis where John did his pathology residency. During that time their children Donna and Peter joined the family – just in time to head back to Africa. John directed pathology labs in Moshi, Tanzania, and then again in Zaire, this time in Kinshasa. Those four years in Africa were a formative time for their young family and many memorable experiences were had camping in wildlife reserves, Kilimanjaro summit attempts, visits from friends and family, motorcycle mishaps, the rigours of medicine, and life in the diverse communities they called home. Not overly taken by our modern worries about health and safety, John regularly loaded his young family in their VW Beetle to explore the amazing people, animals, and landscapes in which they lived. Donna and Peter had the privilege of an idyllic childhood with adventurous parents.
After returning to North America, over the next 26 years John practiced as a pathologist in Minneapolis, Spokane, Calgary and finally Cranbrook. His adventurous spirit was always looking for the next new and exciting chapter, and in retired life he continued to do volunteer work overseas, directing pathology labs in Madagascar, Nepal, and Kenya. He worked hard, raised with Florence a wonderful family, and made lifelong friends wherever they lived. Throughout his long life and career, John never lost his love of laughter, learning, stories, music, hiking in the outdoors, fishing and woodworking, and most of all visiting with friends and family. John loved people and was a tremendously warm and hospitable person. He had a way of making you feel welcome and at ease in his presence. A Dyck brother through-and-through, he had a wry sense of humour, a healthy skepticism, and not a lot of patience for time-wasters – there was always more to do, explore and experience.
John had a deep faith in God, which sustained him throughout his life, and he and Florence were always very involved in their church community. In the last few years he spent a lot reading his German Bible. He loved history, learning with interest the stories of everywhere he travelled (both in body and imagination), and sought to instill in his family a love and respect for where they came from. We know that he is now with his family and friends: his beloved Florence, his brothers, his mother and father, grandparents, and many friends, all welcoming him to his next great adventure.
John is survived and dearly missed by his children Donna Ruparell (Tinu) and Peter Dyck (Susan), their three beloved grandchildren, Kiran, Sacha and Anya Ruparell, as well as his brother Walter Dyck (Margaret), and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his brothers Harold, Ed, Victor, and David.
Those wishing to pay their respects can do so at Cochrane Country Funeral Home (402 Railway St W, Cochrane, AB T4C2B6) on Monday, January 27th from 4-6pm.
Memorial services will be held at Highland Mennonite Brethren Church (4018 Centre B St NW, Calgary, AB T2K0W2) on Tuesday Jan 28
th
at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers or tributes, donations can be made in John’s name to Mennonite Central Committee Alberta (403 275 6935;
officab@mccab.ca
; donate.mcccanada.ca)
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home, Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director. Ph: 403-932-1039. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. John Raymond Dyck, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 29
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors