Lawrence Herbert “Doc” Dykers entered into rest April 29, 2009, with his family by his side at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville.

“He fought the good fight. The battle is won.”

Lawrence was born Dec. 19, 1916, at the family farm “Herteveld” (Deer Field), Crescent Harbor on Whidbey Island, to Dutch Immigrants Herbert and Gertrude (Faber) Dykers, the fourth born of eight children. He attended Crescent Harbor and Oak Harbor Grade Schools and Oak Harbor High School, graduating in 1933. He then worked on the family farm for a year before attending Washington State College in Pullman for two years.

Growing up, Lawrence was a good student even skipping a grade. He loved participating in sports on the school and town teams, excelling in baseball.

Upon arriving at WSC Lawrence roomed at the “Co-op House” with four other Oak Harbor friends sleeping in the same room (an unheated sleeping porch) winter and summer. He was elected “Health Chairman” and his job was being the “Doctor” of the house—hence earning his lifelong nickname, “Doc.”

As a member of the WSC ROTC Lawrence left college and joined the Army at the beginning of World War II. He was a member of the G Company, 350th Regiment of the 88th Infantry Division, the “Blue Devils.” He heroically distinguished himself during the war earning a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and and a Purple Heart with an added cluster for a second significant wound. On one occasion his division had advanced to the perimeters of Rome. Doc and a Catholic buddy slipped undercover into the city and went to St. Peter’s Square. The Pope happened to take the path next to them, stopped to bless them and gave each a medallion. The memories of his war experiences were such that he never mentioned this time and it was only in the last few years of his life that he finally shared some stories of his combat experiences. He was also honored at several local veterans events, and was proud to serve as the Grand Marshal of Oak Harbor’s 4th of July Parade. He and Doris were also honored to be named Grand Marshals of Oak Harbor’s Holland Happening Parade.

At the end of the war the family farm had been taken over by the Navy for the war effort and his family had relocated to the Skagit Valley, so when Lawrence returned to Oak Harbor he began driving truck for Oak Harbor Freight Lines. Then in 1946 he began his career with the U.S. Postal Service serving as the only letter carrier on the entire north end of Whidbey Island for several years. He continued as a rural carrier until he was appointed postmaster in 1968.

Lawrence married Doris Crumbley July 1, 1947, in Oak Harbor. Their daughter Doreen was born in 1948 and son Lawrence Alfred “Larry” was born in 1950, both in Oak Harbor. Through the years he enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting trips with his family and many lifelong friends. He served as a Little League coach and helped with many events with his children. He also worked several “second jobs” including bookkeeping at the Chevrolet Garage and driving school bus in the afternoons.

In 1946 Lawrence joined Oak Harbor’s Volunteer Fire Department and served for 30 years. He called the regular Monday night training meetings “Ladies Aid Night.” The family looked forward to their annual salmon barbecue and the ride through town the volunteers gave to their kids on the old red fire truck with its whistle blowing. He also enjoyed his membership at the Oak Harbor Sportsman’s Club participating in many trap shoots and their salmon barbecues. He even won their salmon derby one year with a 39 pound salmon!

Lawrence and Doris began a new era in their lives upon his retirement from the Post Office in 1980. They traveled a lot in their motor home with friends and family and also traveled south for several months each winter to enjoy the weather and visit friends (and for Doris to gamble a bit). They tended a large garden and often met with family and friends for coffee and meals in town. They crossed the mountains often to help Ray and Doreen on their farm and to watch their grandsons participate in various school, sporting or 4-H events.

Lawrence was proud to belong to Rotary and to have had 38 years of perfect attendance. He thoroughly enjoyed the Rotary meeting’s fellowship, programs and related volunteer projects. He also enjoyed his affiliation with the Elks Club and its local members, going to their meetings, dinners, and participating in their Travel Club. His other memberships included the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Washington State Letter Carriers Assn., and later the National Assn. of Postmasters. Being members of the Letter Carriers and Postmasters brought Lawrence and Doris together with many people from across the state and even to national conventions. They often made stops to visit friends they had made as they traveled throughout the state. Contact with family and friends were an important part of Lawrence’s life; he greatly appreciated having so many strong lifelong friendships and such a large, loving family.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Doris of over 61 years. He is also survived by his daughter Doreen (Ray) Wardenaar of Othello; son Larry (Joyce) of Auburn; sister Gertrude Balster of Burlington; sister-in-law Marie Shelton of Battleground; Grandchildren Joel (Lisa) Wardenaar and their children Raylie and Raegan of Othello; Jake (Farrah) Wardenaar and their son Grant of Royal City; Jed Wardenaar of Othello; Chapin Dykers of Auburn; Julia Dykers of Auburn; nieces and nephews Alice (Don) Sorenson of Burlington; Luther (Debra Lahr) Galbreath of Concrete; Barbara (Ted) Reisner of Anacortes; Kathy Lindbloom of Mount Vernon; Gretchen Dykers of LaConner; Sigrid (Steve) Barnett of Burlington; Obert “Skip” Dykers of Bellingham; as well as numerous cousins, grand-nieces and nephews.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Hendrick, Herbert, Chapin and Obert Dykers; sisters Martha Dykers and Barbara Dykers Lee; and nephew Herbie Dykers.

Viewing was held May 4 at Burley Funeral Chapel. Graveside services with military honors followed May 5 at Fircrest Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at the First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor.

Memorials suggested are to the Oak Harbor Rotary Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 444, Oak Harbor or to the Herbie Dykers Memorial FFA Scholarship Fund at Mount Vernon High School, 314 North 9th Street, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273.

The family would like to extend a grateful thank you to the staff at Regency on Whidbey; Dr. Tony Bartley and Dr. Douglas Langrock and their staff; and to the staff at Whidbey General Hospital for their loving care of our husband, Dad, Grandpa and Uncle.

God speed Dad. We will miss you. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, where family and friends may visit www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave comments.