Friends Say Goodbye To Longtime Educator

Family and friends said goodbye to a longtime Salina area educator, volunteer, and friend. Jerry Dyck was laid to rest Thursday morning.

Mr. Dyck was well known to many people who grew up in Salina in the late 1960s through the early 1990s. He was the principal of Sunset Elementary for 27 years, from 1967 t0 1994.

Prior to his long career in Salina, Dyck served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953. After graduating from Bethany College in 1955, he attended Emporia State University, where he received his master of school administration degree.

Dyck’s teaching career carried him first to Marion where he taught junior high. He then moved to El Dorado as an elementary principal, followed by a move back to Emporia to be an elementary principal. His final move was to Salina.

During his teaching career, Dyck served as president of the Kansas Elementary Principals Association, and the state representative for the National Elementary Principals Association. He has an honorary life membership in the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.

Dyck was also a member of the Salina Human Relations commission, Saline County Juvenile Court Administration, Saline County Truancy Board, and served as president of the Salina Area Retired Educators.

Dyck volunteered at First United Methodist Church, and enjoyed playing golf and keeping fit at the YMCA.

After retiring, Dyck was fixture at many school events around the area. He never missed an event of his children and grandchildren. From attending swim meets, dance recitals, basketball and volleyball games or just going out to eat, he devoted his life to his family, and community.