Leroy van Dyke

Leroy Frank Van Dyke (born October 4, 1929) is an American country music singer best known for his hits, "The Auctioneer" (1956) and "Walk On By" (1961). Van Dyke was born in Mora, Missouri. He lived in Spencer, Wisconsin but graduated from the University of Missouri majoring in agricultural journalism. He was catapulted into country music fame in 1956 with his composition "Auctioneer", (co-written with Buddy Black) which sold over 2.5 million records. He wrote the song about the life of his cousin, National Auctioneers Association Hall of Famer Ray Sims, also a Missourian. Van Dyke had the lead role of a budding country music performer in the 1967 movie What Am I Bid?, in which Sims played himself as an auctioneer. In his 50 years-plus...