James Van Dyck Fear, Sr.

James Van Dyck Fear Sr., fondly known as “Dyck”, 97, passed away peacefully at home on January 02, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born on November 07, 1925, in Morgantown, West Virginia; the son of Marja Steadman Fear and Olan Fear.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis Meyer Fear with whom he shared 39 years of marriage.  He was predeceased by Dorothy Nissan Fear with whom Dyck shared a loving marriage of 30 years.  

Dyck graduated from the University of Louisville in Kentucky and received a bachelors and masters degree in chemical engineering.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II and in the reserves.  

Dyck joined Sun Oil Company in 1948 in Research and Development, attended Harvard Business School.  After serving in various positions at Sun Oil Company he retired in 1988 as a Vice President of Refining and Marketing.  He also served on the board of directors of Quik Trip and Sheetz convenience stores and gasoline station companies. He continued to value his many years of volunteer work with Family Services of West Chester and Habitat for Humanity of Chester County.  

Dyck and Phyllis travelled the world extensively, enjoyed skiing and boating on their trawler the “Phyllis Ann”.  Via the boat they traveled on the Chesapeake Bay, to Maine, the Georgian Bay and up the Erie Canal to name a few.  They enjoyed many years of socializing and playing bridge with their many bridge friends.  

Dyck will be greatly missed by his wife Phyllis; his daughter Karen Fear Patterson and her husband Douglas Frank; sons James Van Dyck Fear Jr. and Craig Dewitt Fear; and stepchildren Beth Meyer Klein and her husband George Nicolos and Christopher Burr Meyer;  as well as grandchildren Dr. David Dewitt Fear, Stephanie Fear Jones and her husband Matthew Jones, and Lauren Elizabeth Fear and Nicole (Nikki) Elizabeth Klein.  

Services will be private at a future time to be determined.  

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Family Services of West Chester, 310 North Matlack Street, West Chester, PA 19380 OR Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, 1853 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville PA 19320.