Dick Dyke

Richard "Dick" Burt Dyke, Jr. died October 12, 2011. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, to Ruth Reed and Richard Burt Dyke, Dick loved the outdoors at a very early age. In addition to spending time at his grandfather's ranches, he rode hunters and jumpers. In the summers, he and his sister, Lollie, swam with their horses in Bull Creek. His most treasured horse was Geronimo on whom Dick jumped more than 6 feet. He attended horse shows all over Texas, winning numerous events. After attending Austin High School, he went to Culver Military Academy in Indiana. He was the first Junior to win a medal in the Hunter Jumper competition as part of Culver's riding team. Later, Dick and his friend Bill Dugan, enlisted in the Air Force where Dick learned to speak fluent Russian. He became an intelligence officer and while stationed in Northern Morocco, was tasked with translating Russian radio intercepts. After his service, he returned home to attend the University of Texas.

Dick had a special spot in his heart for the outdoors. In all the places he lived - East Texas, Colorado and Austin- and visited - from Honduras to Mexico-, he loved to fish. He was particularly good at finding just the place where the fish were hiding. None of Dick's homes were complete without the company of dogs, always true friends and companions to him.

He lived life as though he had more than nine in reserve. One of his friends recently said that Dick had hundreds of stories and all of them were true. He had a way of telling stories that was captivating and he had a gift with words that was seldom matched. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. He had a generous spirit.

Dick was preceded in death by his much loved grandfather, Dave Reed, and grandmother, Laura Reed, his mother, Ruth Reed Hall, father, Richard Burt Dyke Sr., sister Susan Reed Dyke Paulette, his nephew, Richard Lee Dyke and wife Jo Lynn Dyke. Dick is survived by his sister, Laura Reed, her daughters Laura Fain, and Elizabeth Hamman Oliver and her husband and children, Morgan Dene Oliver, Isabelle Hamman Oliver, and Emma Lenoir Oliver, his sister Ruth Reed Dyke and her daughter Susan Marie Levinson and granddaughters, Jessica Joan Levinson, Heather Ruth Levinson, and Sierra Sky Blue, and his niece, Noelle Eos Subois Paulette and her daughter, Peyton Elena Paulette, and brother David Reed Hall and cousin Rita Reed George and her son Brian George.

Pallbearers are lifelong friend, Mike Roche, Pat Smith, brother David Hall, Dene Oliver, Brian George, and Whitfield Clark.

The family wishes to thank Beatrice for her care and concern for Dick. In a very short time, she came to care for him as he did her. We are forever grateful.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2011 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

Contributions may be sent in honor of Dick to the Humane Society of Austin, 124 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752 or the Salvation Army of Austin, 501 East 8th Street, Austin, TX 78701