Joseph Scott "Scotty" Van Dyke

"To know him is to love him" by The Teddy Bears and "You're so vain" by Carly Simon.

Dad insisted those songs were written about him. And if you spent even a few minutes with him, you'd probably agree.

Our dad could make friends with a lamp post. He could be in an airport terminal, a tropical beach, or a dive bar, and he'd always leave with a new friend--or five.

For a manager with utility companies, Dad really was more than meets the eye. He loved to cook--his recipe binder won't fit in most kitchen cabinets. He had impeccable style--something his daughter is especially grateful for. He could paint. And, boy, could he sing: Give Dad an audience and play the “Tennessee Walz” or some Jimmy Buffet, and you were in for a show.

You could often find him watching the Yankees or Royals. In fact, he kept his baseball glove in his trunk, so he could play catch with his son, sometimes in the strangest of places. He was always up for getting a medium steak (anything else is sacrilege), bragging about his children, and telling stories from his rambunctious youth--many of those stories we are not at liberty to publish in this fine paper.

Joseph Scott "Scotty" Van Dyke was born in Decatur, Ala., to Warren and Peggy Van Dyke on Oct. 9, 1944. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1962 and from Washburn University in 1972. Scotty proudly served in the U.S. Army for 5.5 years. He worked for the Kansas Gas Service for 40 years to the day. He passed away peacefully July 29, 2026, in Manhattan, Kan.

Scotty is survived by his brother, Mike Van Dyke (Kelly), his two cherished children- Aly Van Dyke (Ryan) and Alex Van Dyke (Simran), and his precious granddaughters- Athena and Luna Van Dyke. Scotty was preceded in death by his father, his mother, and his younger brother, Bruce.

If you didn't know him, you really missed out. And if you did, we'd love to see you at his services. Funeral services and burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Mount Hope Cemetery. After the graveside service, you are invited to join the family back inside the Mt. Hope Chapel for some light refreshments for the hour following. Arrangements are by Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home.

To all our friends, family, and the healthcare professionals who have been right by our sides, thank you for supporting our Dad and us. We are so fortunate for your love.

That’s part of Dad’s influence, too: To have so many wonderful people in our lives is a gift only Dad could pass onto us.

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