Dr. Ellis Russell Van Dyke, DDS

Ellis Russell Van Dyke, faithful husband, father, and grandfather passed away Friday March 9, 2012, in Logan, Utah, at the age of 94. He was born November 27, 1917 in Ogden, the son of Elles Nicholas and Ella V. Jorgensen Van Dyke. He attended schools in Ogden, graduating from Ogden High in 1935. He met Joyce Williams at a Get Acquainted Dance at Ogden High and they married on August 2, 1938, in the Logan LDS Temple. He attended the University of Utah and Weber State College before graduating from the University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry in 1942. Soon after graduation, he received his marching orders and served three years as a dentist in the U.S. Army during WW II which included service in North Africa and Italy. He established a dental practice in Ogden from 1945 to 1953. Seeing a need for his young patients to receive orthodontic care, he returned to school and continued his education, specializing in Orthodontics at the University of Washington, Seattle. He graduated in 1954 and returned to Ogden where he practiced until his retirement in 1990. Dad loved helping to provide beautiful smiles on young people and loved his work and association with his peers and patients.

Dad gave up golf for horses, cows, and tractors when he purchased a farm in Liberty, Utah, in 1960. He and Mom spent many years enjoying country life with their family during the summer months. Dad was a past member of the Ogden Rotary Club, past President of the Liberty Irrigation Company, Life member of the American Association of Orthodontics and a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics. Dad was always a kid at heart and enjoyed associating with young people. He enjoyed serving the youth and took a true interest in their lives when he served in YM as a Stake Missionary, and as a dedicated home teacher. His quick wit and sense of humor will be missed.

Russell is survived by five children, Thomas R (Annette) Van Dyke, Farr West; Scott E (Geniel) Van Dyke, South Ogden; Mimi (Curt) Noel, Cottonwood Heights; Leigh C (Barbara) Van Dyke, Kaysville; and Edmund W. (Michelle) Van Dyke, Smithfield; 23 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild and sister, Anita Edwards, Honolulu, Hawaii. He is preceded in death by his wife Joyce, and a sister Evelyn Stecher. His family would like to thank the Legacy House staff in Logan and the hospice care givers for the loving care they provided for over three years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday March 17, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Weber Heights Stake Center, 1401 E Country Hills Dr, Ogden, Utah. Friends may visit family on Friday from 6 to 8 pm at Lindquists Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and from on Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.