H. Richard "Dick" Burgess

H. Richard "Dick" Burgess June 23, 1917-Nov.11, 2010 Resident of Fremont Dick passed away from congestive heart failure on Veteran's Day - very fitting for a former navy pilot. He was 93 years old. Born in Alberta, Canada, he spent his formative years in La Grande, Oregon. After graduation from high school in 1935, Dick joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, building roads and fighting forest fires. He moved to Niles, California, in 1938, rode motorcycles, and worked at the Pacific States Steel mill, fabricating steel. He met Rose Cattaneo, his future wife, at a dance at the Veteran's Hall in Niles shortly after moving to California. They married in 1941. From the time in his childhood when he saw his first airplane in flight, Dick knew he wanted to be a pilot. Beginning flight training in early 1941, he made his first solo on June 8th, and later that year became active in the Civilian Pilot Training program. Rose was his first passenger. Dick completed CPT in 1942 and then started flying as an instructor for the program in Arizona. In May of 1944, he began flight training to become a naval aviator. He received his wings in New Orleans and was transferred to the Glenview NAS in Illinois, becoming a primary flight instructor. When the war ended, Dick served in the naval reserves until 1958 and continued his flying career, being employed as a corporate pilot by a number of California companies. He flew as a professional flight instructor for Flight Safety International and also for International Air Service Company. Dick was the Chief Pilot for Sierra Academy at the Oakland airport, and was the lead ground instructor at the Japan Air Lines flight crew training facility in Napa, California. Dick is survived by his loving wife, Rose; his children, Chris Rebello and Rick Burgess; son-in-law, Ron Rebello; grandchildren, Ron Rebello Jr. and wife, Krista; Cassie O'Rourke; Hilary and Holly Burgess; and great grandchildren, Natalie and Lilia Rebello; and Alex, Lucas and Hannah O'Rourke. All are residents of Fremont. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews residing in other areas of California. A private service will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery to celebrate his life.