Obituary for Roland Dike
Roland Murdock Dike, Jr., “Ron”, of Winter Springs, FL, passed away at Lutheran Haven Nursing Home, Oviedo, FL, Friday, May 4, 2018. He was 85 years old and suffered with Alzheimer’s for several years.
Ron was born in Winter Park, FL to Margaret Knickerbocker (1911-1987) of Binghamton, N Y and Roland Murdock Dike, Sr. (1908-1982) of Osceola, WI. Then he was raised in a log cabin off Dike Rd. on Grande Ave., Winter Park. His brothers James (Jim), Robert (Bob) and Bob’s wife Gerri Dike still reside there. He loved sharing his stories about living with no electric or running water, but there was a pump at the kitchen sink for well water! His family briefly lived in Binghamton, NY, but returned to Florida where he ran track and graduated from Winter Park High School.
Ron used to work in orange groves, on swimming pools, and in several Central Florida car dealerships as a mechanic and a service manager. Then, he began his teaching career in 1971 at Oviedo High School while attending night school at FTU, Florida Technological University, 1973-1976, now known as UCF, the University of Central Florida. Being very active in VICA, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, Ron loved taking his students to out of town events & competitions. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence awarded Ron with his ASE Certification. Although retiring as the Automotive Technology teacher after 24 years in 1995, he continued as a substitute for 4 more years.
Ron was extremely proud of many of his students, especially Tom Sterling, who filled his shoes when he retired and is still teaching at OHS. Also, another one of his students, Jamie Holten, is the successful owner of Jamie’s Auto Repair and Transmission in Titusville, FL with a 5 star rating! Another one of his students recently said that he liked Mr. Dike because “he never threw me under the bus” when he probably should have! Ron loved boating, bowling, fishing, golfing, road trips, eating out, swimming, walking, music and dancing. He also belonged to many clubs, like The Moose, The Eagles, The Elks, Casselberry Vets & the Fleet Reserve (he was in the Naval Reserves).
Ron is preceded in death by two wives: the mother of his children, Lucille Rosato Dike (1936-1997), Marcella “Marcy” Dike (1940-1996), His oldest daughter, Linda (1954-2012) and son-in-law, Dana New, and finally, his brother, Jim’s wife, Rose Ann (1941-2015).
Ron leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 20 yrs Susan Ann Gross Detter, “Sue” Dike. They met in 1982, 36 years ago at Oviedo High School where she worked for 25 years. As a Media Specialist/Teacher and one of many friends of Ron & Marcy, Sue retired after 5 years at Seminole High School for a total of 30 years with Seminole County Schools. Her 2 children are Katrina Detter Noland (Andy) and Brian Detter who have been her angels throughout the challenges of this last year.
Ron also leaves behind 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law, Lawrence “Larry” and Patricia “Pat” Dike of Okeechobee, FL, plus Roland “Ronnie” M. Dike, III and Lesa Lee Dike of Sanderson, FL. His remaining daughter, Therese “Terry” Dike lives in Deltona, FL with 4 of her 5 children & 2 grandkids. Together, Ron and Sue had: 6 children at Oviedo High, 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, & 6 great-great grandchildren!!!
A 30-min memorial service with no Mass will be held at St. Stephen’s Catholic Community Chapel, at the south end of the church promptly at 10:00 a.m., Father Bluett’s rule! Since he married us, I agree that all visitors should abide by his wishes and arrive by 9:45 a.m.!! Our families should plan to arrive by 9:30 a.m. A catered reception and slideshow will follow at approximately 10:30 or 11:00 for about an hour. Then finally, only the family will attend his burial at Memory Gardens , Winter Park.
In lieu of flowers or live plants, you may wish to consider a donation to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s, where only 6% of monies collected goes to administrative fees. Alzheimer’s Association’s website is https://www.alz.org/ or you can call 800-272-3900. To donate by mail, send a check to: Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011. The Alzheimer's Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible. The federal tax ID number is 13-3039601.
Arrangements are provided by Banfield Funeral Home, Winter Springs, FL 32708 (407) 327-1500. Please go to their website http://www.banfieldfuneralhome.com/ for the complete obituary. Also, note on the website “Tribute Wall: (to) Leave a message to share your favorite memories and offer words of sympathy & comfort...”
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Ron was born in Winter Park, FL to Margaret Knickerbocker (1911-1987) of Binghamton, N Y and Roland Murdock Dike, Sr. (1908-1982) of Osceola, WI. Then he was raised in a log cabin off Dike Rd. on Grande Ave., Winter Park. His brothers James (Jim), Robert (Bob) and Bob’s wife Gerri Dike still reside there. He loved sharing his stories about living with no electric or running water, but there was a pump at the kitchen sink for well water! His family briefly lived in Binghamton, NY, but returned to Florida where he ran track and graduated from Winter Park High School.
Ron used to work in orange groves, on swimming pools, and in several Central Florida car dealerships as a mechanic and a service manager. Then, he began his teaching career in 1971 at Oviedo High School while attending night school at FTU, Florida Technological University, 1973-1976, now known as UCF, the University of Central Florida. Being very active in VICA, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, Ron loved taking his students to out of town events & competitions. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence awarded Ron with his ASE Certification. Although retiring as the Automotive Technology teacher after 24 years in 1995, he continued as a substitute for 4 more years.
Ron was extremely proud of many of his students, especially Tom Sterling, who filled his shoes when he retired and is still teaching at OHS. Also, another one of his students, Jamie Holten, is the successful owner of Jamie’s Auto Repair and Transmission in Titusville, FL with a 5 star rating! Another one of his students recently said that he liked Mr. Dike because “he never threw me under the bus” when he probably should have! Ron loved boating, bowling, fishing, golfing, road trips, eating out, swimming, walking, music and dancing. He also belonged to many clubs, like The Moose, The Eagles, The Elks, Casselberry Vets & the Fleet Reserve (he was in the Naval Reserves).
Ron is preceded in death by two wives: the mother of his children, Lucille Rosato Dike (1936-1997), Marcella “Marcy” Dike (1940-1996), His oldest daughter, Linda (1954-2012) and son-in-law, Dana New, and finally, his brother, Jim’s wife, Rose Ann (1941-2015).
Ron leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 20 yrs Susan Ann Gross Detter, “Sue” Dike. They met in 1982, 36 years ago at Oviedo High School where she worked for 25 years. As a Media Specialist/Teacher and one of many friends of Ron & Marcy, Sue retired after 5 years at Seminole High School for a total of 30 years with Seminole County Schools. Her 2 children are Katrina Detter Noland (Andy) and Brian Detter who have been her angels throughout the challenges of this last year.
Ron also leaves behind 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law, Lawrence “Larry” and Patricia “Pat” Dike of Okeechobee, FL, plus Roland “Ronnie” M. Dike, III and Lesa Lee Dike of Sanderson, FL. His remaining daughter, Therese “Terry” Dike lives in Deltona, FL with 4 of her 5 children & 2 grandkids. Together, Ron and Sue had: 6 children at Oviedo High, 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, & 6 great-great grandchildren!!!
A 30-min memorial service with no Mass will be held at St. Stephen’s Catholic Community Chapel, at the south end of the church promptly at 10:00 a.m., Father Bluett’s rule! Since he married us, I agree that all visitors should abide by his wishes and arrive by 9:45 a.m.!! Our families should plan to arrive by 9:30 a.m. A catered reception and slideshow will follow at approximately 10:30 or 11:00 for about an hour. Then finally, only the family will attend his burial at Memory Gardens , Winter Park.
In lieu of flowers or live plants, you may wish to consider a donation to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s, where only 6% of monies collected goes to administrative fees. Alzheimer’s Association’s website is https://www.alz.org/ or you can call 800-272-3900. To donate by mail, send a check to: Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011. The Alzheimer's Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible. The federal tax ID number is 13-3039601.
Arrangements are provided by Banfield Funeral Home, Winter Springs, FL 32708 (407) 327-1500. Please go to their website http://www.banfieldfuneralhome.com/ for the complete obituary. Also, note on the website “Tribute Wall: (to) Leave a message to share your favorite memories and offer words of sympathy & comfort...”
To plant a tree in memory of Roland Dike, visit the Tribute Store.
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