Obituary of Richard E. Dykstra

Richard E. Dykstra, 87, of Brookdale in Lakewood, formerly of Winding River, NC, passed away Monday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2023 at UPMC Chautauqua. He was the husband of the late Ivy Hemsley Dykstra whom he met while stationed in England with the U.S. Army. They married in 1956 and she died in 2018. Dick was born Aug. 14, 1935 in Chicago, IL, the son of the late Elmer and Leah Lawler Dykstra. He served in the Army from Aug. of 1954 until Sept. of 1956. A graduate of UCLA with a major in political science, Dick retired as marketing manager for Welch Foods in 1996 after 20 years with the company. He had previously worked at Alberto Culver (Chicago) and Milani Foods (Los Angeles). His work took him to positions in California, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. He was a proud member of the UCLA Alumni Association and belonged to the NRA. Dick enjoyed fishing, golf (having made a hole-in-one), lawn work and in earlier years, boating. He was very proud of his "famous" barbequed cheeseburgers which everyone loved. Most significant though was time spent with his family. Annual summer vacations with family were a major highlight in his life. Surviving are his sons, John (Susan) Dykstra of Jamestown and Wayne (Stacy) Dykstra of Amherst, NH; daughters, Lorraine DeMambro (Norm Green) of Lakewood and LeeAnn LaFosse of Troy, NH; twelve grandchildren: Ken (Jaclyn) Dykstra, Andy (Meaghan) Dykstra, Brandon Dykstra, Tyler (Ashley) Dykstra, Trevor Dykstra, Tony DeMambro, Ashley DeMambro, David (Keri) LaFosse, Rick (Ursula) LaFosse, Emma Touchette, Cam Dykstra, and Hanalia Dykstra; five great-grandchildren: Connor Dykstra, Caleb Dykstra, Braelyn Dykstra, Lyra LaFosse, and Ivy LaFosse, and very excited to learn that number 6 is on the way! He is also survived by four nieces who reside in England and Australia. Lastly, he is survived by his loving dog companion, Miss Penny, the little Yorkie Poo. Dick was a loving Father, Grandfather, Uncle, and fantastic husband. He adored his wife, Ivy. She meant the world to him. A future family gathering will be held at a later time to celebrate Dick's life. The inurnment of both Ivy and Dick will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the staff of UPMC Chautauqua and Brookdale Senior Living for their excellent care, as well as good friend, Pat Rams, for her many caring visits. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.