12/12/2025
Harry Dyck, of Elkhart, Indiana, was born on July 31, 1936, in Plum Coulee, Manitoba, Canada. He died peacefully at his home on Dec 5, 2025, at the age of 89.
He was the 5th of 9 children born to Henry W Dyck and Mary (Klassen) Dyck. Officially named Harry, the nickname ‘Buddy’ was used to distinguish him from a farm helper also named Harry. When his oldest sister married a man also named Harry Dyck, the nickname became permanent. Throughout his life, he lived up to his name of being a buddy to all.
Buddy and Lois (Riehl) met at Winnipeg Bible Institute, and were married on July 4, 1964, and together they had 3 children, Heidi Dyck Hilty (Eric), Gwendolyn (deceased in infancy), and Ted Dyck (Lesley Rutt). He has 2 beloved grandchildren, Sasha and Matthew, both of Goshen, Indiana.
After completing grade 10 by correspondence, Buddy attended Winnipeg Bible Institute, graduating with a BA in Theology, and then returned to his hometown to finish high school. He continued to pursue higher education at Canadian Mennonite Bible College. In 1967, he was ordained pastor of Martensville Mennonite Church, serving for 5 years, before moving to Goshen. Buddy graduated from Goshen College in 1973 with a BA in Religion. He continued his studies at AMBS, receiving a Masters of Divinity in 1975. Working with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, Buddy and the family moved to Botswana, making Francistown their home for 10 years, where he worked with the pastors of African Independent Churches in Bible study and church leadership. After returning to the United States in 1985, Buddy worked in several areas including driving truck and selling Fuller Brush.
To know Buddy is to know that he was an avid walker and biker. Whenever weather allowed, he rode his bike to church, and challenged himself to walk the number of miles of his age each year. He biked and walked to raise money for charities, such as war victims in Ukraine, or housing support for LaCasa. At the end of each yearly walk, he invited friends and family to join him for an ice cream celebration. He enjoyed playing tennis, and his favorite pro baseball team was the Toronto Blue Jays. He travelled extensively in Africa, Europe and attended Mennonite World Conference in India. He was a keen wildlife photographer. In retirement, if he was sitting down, there was always a crossword puzzle or a Sudoku on the go. Buddy loved music, and taught himself to play the organ. He wrote poetry, putting his words to music and playing his songs on guitar or organ. His greatest enjoyment came from being with family and friends, sharing a cup of coffee, a bagel, and good conversation. If you asked him, ‘How are you?’, his standard response was ‘All the better for seeing you.” And he meant it. Conscientious about health and the environment, Buddy was a vegetarian, and instead of a burial, donated his body to medical research at Indiana University.
Buddy is survived by his wife Lois of 61 years, Heidi and Eric, Ted, Lesley, Sasha and Matthew, as well as siblings Ed, Dolores, Leona and Steve and their families. He is predeceased by his parents, and siblings, Mary “Toots”, Anne “Dolly”, Jim, and Doreen. He is a much loved uncle to nieces and nephews throughout the world.
Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. on January 4, 2026, at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary Chapel, in Elkhart, Indiana, with a celebration of life at 3:00 p.m. Pastor David Moser will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LaCasa, 202 N Cottage Ave, Goshen, IN 46528, or to Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S 12th St, Akron, PA 17501.
