Rev. Dr. Gerard Van Dyk

Reverend Dr. Gerard Van Dyk passed away Friday, May 16, 2014, at his home due to heart failure.

Born in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, in 1926, the son of Teunis and Gertje van Dijk, was the oldest of 10 siblings. Gerard served in the Dutch army after WW II as a Fourier. He and his family emigrated to Alberta, Canada in 1953.

Gerard entered Central College in Pella, Iowa to prepare for seminary, his focus was on Philosophy and Theology. In 1961, Reverend Dr. Van Dyk graduated from The New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Reverend Van Dyk was the Pastor at the Harriston Reformed Church, in Harriston Ontario, the Rochester Reformed Church in Accord, New York, Grace Reformed Church in Edison, New Jersey and the Trinity Reformed Church in Ridgewood, New York. He was extremely proud of being in God's Service as a Pastor, where he could "minister unto people" which was his ultimate calling in his life.

For 53 years, Gerard was married to Ruth Fels, whom he met at the headquarters of the Dutch Reformed Church in New York

City. They were married in Jackson Heights, New York and had three children together. After Gerard retired in 1993, they moved to Flemington, NJ and enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading and time at their homes in Flemington and the Poconos. Gerard enjoyed time with his children and family dogs and was particularly happy to share news of his grandson with anyone who was willing to listen.

Gerard is survived by his wife, Ruth Fels Van Dyk, his daughter, Elizabeth, his sons David and Joel, his grandson, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Calia and his siblings, Cornelis, Christina, Ronald and their families.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday May 20, 2014 at 4:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 3:00-4:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, The family requests that gifts be made to the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 17 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 or The American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 302, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.