Peter Cornelius Van Dyck (1917-2008) attended both Union and Amherst College, and earned his degree from the latter as a member of the Class of 1938. He began his career at General Electric’s credit corporation before taking leave to serve in World War II, in the Pacific Theatre, with the U.S. Army Air Corps engineers. After returning from the war, he joined the GE traveling auditing staff and began a 30 plus year career with the company. He later worked as finance manager and business training instructor, before being appointed general manager in 1961. In 1972 he was promoted to Vice President of GE and was in charge of the Apparatus Service Division, a division with locations around the world. By the late 1970s saw the division grow to 175 service shops in 17 countries that employed 7,000 skilled workers. He traveled extensively to these locations and visited all continents except Antarctica. He retired from General Electric in 1980.
Peter was an understated man, who also cared to share his advice, opinions, and support to his family and friends.