John Dix Wayman

John Dix Wayman, age 97, passed away on May 17, peacefully and with loved ones at his side at his home in Ithaca.

John “Dix” was born on February 14, 1925 in Oneonta, NY, son of the late Leon Howard and Isabelle Yerby (Dix) Wayman. After finishing high school, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1943-1946; in the South Atlantic, the Pacific, and  the North Atlantic Oceans. He achieved rank of 2nd Lt. Dix attended Hamilton College where he earned his B.A., and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School where he earned his D.D.S.  He moved to Ithaca to start his Dental Practice in June of 1952. He retired from Dentistry in 1993, after 41 years of serving the Ithaca community. He married his First Mate, Barbara Shirey Wayman on June 18, 1955, and they bought the house on South Hill over-looking Ithaca and Cayuga Lake where they lived their entire lives together.

At the age of 16 Dix bought his first sailboat, a wooden Comet, “Skipper,” that was launched on Goodyear Lake on July 11, 1941. This date would forever be known as “Skipper Day,” and was celebrated yearly. In October 1967, he ordered “Blue Skies,” a Dutch-made steel-hulled, wooden-sparred sailboat that was launched in Cayuga Lake in 1968. “Blue Skies” was the love of his life and on it he and his family traveled to Watkins Glen, Toronto, Thousand Islands, and NYC (for the Bi-Centennial).

Dix was a passionate supporter of the Arts in Ithaca, especially the Ithaca College School of Music and Ithaca Opera. Dix and Barbara were always attending plays, operas, and concerts of all kinds where he was often seen sporting his opera cape, gloves, top hat and cane. His philanthropic gifts were many and generous over the years. He was driven to help relieve human suffering through his giving.

Dix was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, The Ithaca Yacht Club and the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years.

He is survived by his brother Robert Douglas Wayman of Santa Rosa, CA, children; William H. Wayman of Ontario NY, Dr. John W. Wayman (Karen) of Rochester NY, Alice W. Ploss (Robin) of Trumansburg, and Ted D. Wayman of Ithaca. Grandchildren; Sondra Wayman of Ithaca, Claire Wayman of Harrisonburg, VA, Christopher (Sally) and Nathan Ploss of Trumansburg, and Matthew Ploss of Ithaca. He was predeceased by sister Jane W. Zogg, loving and patient wife Barbara in 2016, and by his daughter-in-law Betty D. Wayman in 2021.

A gathering of friends and family will be held Monday July 11, from 5-7p.m. at the Ithaca Yacht Club, 1090 Glenwood Road, Ithaca NY.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Dix’s memory to: Hospicare and Palliative Care Services of Tompkins County, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca NY 14850.

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