H. Q. Van Dyke

H. Q. (Van) Van Dyke passed away November 2, 2014 at his home in Dunnellon, Florida at the age of 93. Van was a meteorologist in NOAA (formerly the US Weather Service) for 33 years before retiring in 1977. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army Air Corps where he trained pilots and began his meteorological career.  In pioneer fashion Van and his wife, Betty, moved their young family to the Pacific islands of Wake and Canton where he spent eight years providing weather briefings for refueling Trans- Pacific flights.  After returning to the mainland U.S., Van was at the forefront of the development of modern satellite-based weather forecasting.  In 1965, he was recruited to manage the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station, Wallops Island, VA, which was launched in 1966. He oversaw that operation until 1974. Both avid golfers, HQ and Betty managed the Winter Quarters Golf Course in Pocomoke City, MD. For five years from 1977-82.  A scratch golfer himself, Van reveled in coaching the junior golfers at WQGC and preaching the virtues of “game management”.
Mr. Van Dyke was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his brother and two sisters.  He is survived by his sister, Frances Beachy of Austin, TX; daughters Janet Huffman of Crystal River, FL, Barbara Holland of New Church, VA, Cathy Van Dyke of New Haven, CT, and Terry Van Dyke of Frederick, MD as well as eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.  Visiting hours will be Sunday, November 9th from 1-3 PM at Roberts Funeral Home, 19939 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Dunnellon, FL 34432.   Interment will be at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida on Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:30 AM with full military honors. Family and friends will  be gathering at the funeral home on Monday at 8:00 AM to proceed to Florida National For committal services.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).