Wyckoff was born near Urbana, Iowa, where his family owned a farm, on 2 March 1925.
During his military service, Wyckoff was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Wyckoff subsequently returned to farming, and married Margie Ploeger in 1946.
He won election to the Iowa House of Representatives for the first time in 1970, and held the District 42 seat as a Democrat for two years.
Wyckoff was elected thrice thereafter to represent District 31, stepping down at the end of his fourth consecutive term in 1979.