REFERENCE TITLE: death resolution; Bill Van Dyke

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SCR 1055

Introduced by

Senators Gowan: Alston, Angius, Bolick, Bravo, Carroll, Diaz, Dunn, Epstein, Farnsworth, Fernandez, Finchem, Hatathlie, Kavanagh, Kuby, Mesnard, Miranda, Ortiz, Payne, Petersen, Rogers, Sears, Shope, Sundareshan, Werner;  Representatives Carbone, Griffin, Montenegro

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

on the death of major general Glen w. "bill" van Dyke.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Major General Glen W. "Bill" Van Dyke, the 38th Adjutant General of Arizona and a distinguished leader who dedicated nearly four decades of his life to the service of this state and nation, passed away on April 24, 2026, at the age of 86.

A lifelong resident of Tucson, Bill Van Dyke began his exemplary military career in 1961 when he enlisted with the 162nd Tactical Fighter Group, Arizona Air National Guard, following his graduation from Tucson High School.  After graduating from the University of Arizona in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in architecture, he became commissioned as a second lieutenant and entered pilot training in May 1965.

Following completion of pilot training in June 1966, Bill Van Dyke progressed through the ranks as an F-102 squadron pilot until April 1968. He attended advanced gunnery training and instructor pilot training in the F-100 at Luke Air Force Base from May 1968 until April 1969, returned to the 162nd Fighter Group as an F-100 instructor pilot until July 1972, and then undertook a number of subsequent leadership roles before becoming Commander of the 162nd Fighter Group in December 1984.

During his noteworthy tenure as Commander of the 162nd Fighter Group, Major General Van Dyke significantly increased the visibility and importance of the Fighter Group by undertaking new construction that enlarged the Tucson Air National Guard base by 30% to posture the unit for future success, adding an additional squadron of F-16 fighter jets and establishing the current foreign military F-16 pilot training mission, securing the unit's long-term future.  Following his service as Commander of the 162nd Fighter Group, Major General Van Dyke was promoted to the position of Air Component Commander for the entire Arizona Air National Guard in October 1990.

In April 1994, Major General Van Dyke was appointed Adjutant General of Arizona by Governor Fife Symington, becoming Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and assuming command of the more than 9,000 Arizona Army and Air National Guard personnel and the Arizona Division of Emergency Services.  He fostered the newly established State Partnership Program between the Arizona National Guard and the Republic of Kazakhstan, and he was selected by the United States Secretary of Defense to serve on the Reserve Policy Board to directly advise on Reserve and Guard matters.  In May 1999, he retired as Adjutant General after 38 years of exemplary service to our state and nation.

A master of the skies, Major General Van Dyke was a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, having piloted many of the most iconic aircraft in American history, including the F-100, F-102, A-7 and F-16 aircraft.  His commitment to duty was recognized through numerous awards and decorations he received throughout his career, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Medal with one bronze service star and the Air Force Overseas Ribbon.  Additionally, Major General Van Dyke was honored with the Order of the Sword Award by the Enlisted Association National Guard of Arizona, the highest honor bestowed by enlisted personnel, reflecting his deep commitment to those he led.

In addition to his military service, Major General Van Dyke was a registered architect, which inspired his call-sign, "Prefab," and he worked for several Arizona architectural firms designing numerous homes and buildings in Tucson before serving full-time with the Arizona Air National Guard. He taught second-year design at the University of Arizona's College of Architecture in 1967 and was a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Major General Van Dyke sought to bring the thrill of flying combat jets to the ground through his lifelong passion for motorsports, particularly sprint car racing.  He was well known and respected in the local racing community for his contributions and as a legacy member of the Tucson Low Rollers Car Club.  He became known for his 1932 roadsters, which were built from the frame up, and for restoring a 1956 Ford F-100 Big Window pickup, which were featured in various car magazines and were a familiar presence at local car shows.

Beyond his professional accolades, Major General Van Dyke was known for his integrity, his mentorship of generations of airmen and his profound devotion to his family and the community.  He is survived by his wife, four children, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  The passing of Major General Glen W. "Bill" Van Dyke represents a significant loss to the Arizona National Guard, the military community and the entire State of Arizona, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature honor the life and distinguished service of Major General Glen W. "Bill" Van Dyke and extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, his many friends and his fellow service members.