Whereas, Don Dyke was born in Urbana, Illinois, and spent most of his youth in Florida and Kentucky before his family's fortuitous move to Janesville, Wisconsin in the middle of Don's ninth grade year; and

Whereas, Don received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin, interning as a law student at the Legislative Council under the legendary tutelage of Bonnie Reese and joining the council staff full time in January 1977; and

Whereas, Don embodied the finest qualities of nonpartisan legislative staff — competent, diligent, trustworthy, and discreet; and

Whereas, for 33 years, Don ably staffed numerous legislative standing committees, primarily in the assembly, concentrating on municipal law and the judiciary; and

Whereas, according to legislators whose committees he staffed, Don provided invaluable counsel promptly and accurately, never failing to explain extremely complicated legal elements of bills discussed in committee, and providing relief with his ready smile and sense of humor during controversial and testy discussions; and

Whereas, Don capably staffed many Legislative Council study committees, assisting legislators and citizen members in crafting complex legislation in areas ranging from marital property and family law to product liability and town laws; and

Whereas, Don was a trusted and respected colleague whose door was always open to his fellow staffers for advice on substantive legal and sensitive political matters; and

Whereas, Don was a dedicated noon-time runner with council friends, continuing to meet them for a Friday run in his retirement; and

Whereas, Don was and remains an avid sports enthusiast, from his days in Little League and Babe Ruth League; as a high school baseball player, sprinter, and long jumper; as coach of his sons' baseball teams; and, emulating his legislative abilities, as an exceptionally solid third baseman for Madison's Wet Noodle softball team; and

Whereas, Don wishes to acknowledge the love and valued support of his family that enabled him to devote himself fully to his legislative career; and

Whereas, Don's steady hand and calm demeanor will be missed by all who worked (and played) with him; now, therefore, be it