<div itemprop="description">VAN DYKE, Donald, a Captain, Military Veteran, and aviation aficionado passed away at his home on January 15th, 2026, in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. He was 78 years old. <br> <br>Born October 2, 1947, in Portsmouth, Ohio to Marion and Donald Benk, Don is survived by his wife, Karin Van Dyke (née Frylinck), and his son Bradley. <br> <br>Don committed his life to both the military and aviation, his true passions, and has left a lasting legacy in both fields. <br> <br>Former Director of Operations at IATA, Capt. Van Dyke served on the ICAO Air Navigation Commission and represented 290 air carriers at various workshops covering operations, airworthiness, personnel licensing, and training for aeronautical information services, meteorology, and visual aids. He chaired IATA committees on flight operations and aircraft engineering and maintenance, led the 21 workshops, and conducted quality assurance inspections at new IATA member airlines worldwide. Before joining IATA, Don was the Chief Aviation Safety Officer at British Airways-Comair, where his innovative approach to comprehensive risk management led to British Airways securing its first non-European franchise. His 2009 book, Fortune Favors the Bold, is a fascinating account of the history of Comair. <br> <br>His work with Sierra Research Corporation focused on navigation, guidance, and radar for the US Air Force and US Navy, as well as early commercial adaptations of weather radar. He subsequently served as President of Dynamic Technology and CEO of Command Airways (South Africa). A long-time contributor to Professional Pilot magazine, he published over one hundred articles. His remarkable eloquence made him a sought-after conference speaker. Don was highly regarded and held three patents. <br> <br>Don was a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Senior Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a member of the University Aviation Association. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Organizational Development and International Aviation Law, he was about to complete his PhD in Aviation Management. Don had over 18,000 flight hours piloting airliners, helicopters, and serving as a flight instructor and check pilot. <br> <br>At the time of his passing, Don was one of the most distinguished instructors at CQFA, the public center for aeronautical education in Quebec. In addition to teaching aviation, Don dedicated his life to helping veterans. A Vietnam War veteran himself, Don spent several years caring for, assisting, listening to, and transporting sick veterans, until very recently. <br> <br>A service will be held at Rideau Funeral Home, 4275 boul. Des Sources, Dollard-des-Ormeaux on Saturday February 7, 2026 at 2pm. Visitation will start at 1pm. <br> <br>In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to: <br>The Last Post Fund – National Field of Honour <br>https://www.lastpostfund.ca/ <br> <br> <br>Jardins Commémoratifs et Salon Funéraire Rideau will webcast the funeral ceremony of Donald Lee Van Dyke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 1:50 PM EST to 3:10 PM EST . <br> <br>You can view the ceremony live or on replay at https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/119763. <br> <br> The ceremony will be available to all without a password.</div>
