Loren Van Dyke: What happened to Dick Van Dyke’s father?

Loren Van Dyke is the father of legendary actor, entertainer, and comedian Dick Van Dyke. Loren Van Dyke’s son has a career span of seven decades in film, television, and stage and is the recipient of multiple awards, including a Golden Globe, Tony, Grammy, a Daytime Emmy, and four Primetime Emmys. He is known for Bye Bye Birdie, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,  Diagnosis: Murder, and more recently Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018).

Loren Van Dyke: Bio Summary

Who was Dick Van Dyke’s father?

Loren Van Dyke was born on June 28, 1902, in Greenup, Cumberland, Illinois, United States. He was the son of  Dorsey Clinton Van Dyke and Jennie Van Dyke. He was not the only child of her parents, he had a brother-  Earl L. Van Dyke. Loren passed away at the age of 73 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. How did Dick Van Dyke’s father die? Keep reading to learn more.

Dick Van Dyke’s father was a salesman. Loren was a traveling Salesman for the Sunshine Biscuit Company. He was married to Hazel Victoria (née McCord; 1896–1992), a stenographer. The couple tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony in 1924. A year later, they welcome their first child- Dick Van Dyke, and their second child- Jerry Van Dyke a few years later in 1931. Jerry also made some appearances on his brother’s show, The Dick Van Dyke Show.

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Their family name Van Dyke is a Dutch surname, although he also has English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. His family line traces back to Mayflower passenger John Alden. Loren Van Dyke was very influential in his son’s life and career. He was nicknamed ‘Cookie’. Well, no one quite knows the reason behind how he got the name.

The Mary Poppins actor is a member of the class of 1944 of Danville High School, where he participated in the a cappella choir and dramatic club. His involvement in the drama program was one of the first signs that convinced him to become a professional entertainer, although he also had other plans such as a career in the ministry. 

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The Diagnosis: Murder star left high school during his senior year to join the United States Army Air Forces for pilot training when World War II broke out. It wasn’t easy at the being as he was denied enlistment several times for being underweight.

Dick Van Dyke was eventually accepted for service as a radio announcer before transferring to the Special Services and entertaining troops in the continental United States. He was discharged in 1946. Van Dyke received his high school diploma in 2004. All these years Loren Van Dyke and his wife were also playing their part to make sure their son is okay.

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What happened to Dick Van Dyke’s father?

Dick Van Dyke’s father Loren Van Dyke passed away on August 21, 1975, in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. He was 73 years old at the time of his death. According to Geni, he was laid to rest at Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. The cause of his death Glamour path was due to natural causes.

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Loren’s younger son Jerry also died in 2018 at the age of 86 on his country home ranch on his wife’s lap after suffering congestive heart failure. His health was said to have started declining following an accident that he had a couple of years ago. As of 2023, Dick Van Dyke is 98 years old.

Loren Van Dyke is a grandfather- his grandkids are Barry Van Dyke, Carrie Beth Van Dyke, Stacy Van Dyke, and Christian Van Dyke from Dick Van Dyke whereas Ronald Van Dyke, Jerri Lynn Dyke, and Nancy Kelly are from Jerry Van Dyke.