Robert A. Burke

1933 - 2024

Robert A. Burke

Easthampton, MA - Robert (Bob) Alexander Burke passed away on May 27th at Apple Rehab Farmington Valley in Plainville, CT. Bob leaves behind his beloved wife, Dorothy, "Dottie", (Delisle) Burke, whom he married in 1956. He was sadly predeceased by his dearly loved daughter, Debora Anne Burke-Dykstra who died of Cystic Fibrosis in 1980 and later by his late son-in-law Terry Dykstra. He is survived by his brother-in-law Norman Berkowitz and his sister-in-law Barbara Delisle Newsheller, and many nieces and nephews and their children. He was predeceased by his brothers James Burke and Dustin Mahlon Burke and his sisters Joanne (Burke) Berkowitz and Susan (Burke) Rosenthal. Bob was born to James Patton Burke and Flora (Hunt) Burke on June 9, 1933, in Orange, Massachusetts. Bob was educated at Athol High School and the Mt. Hermon School, graduating in 1952. A Veteran, Bob served his country in the Army Corps of Engineers in the Korean War until 11/30/54. He continued his education in 1955 as an Engineering major at the University of Massachusetts. Bob was hired in 1957 by The Polaroid Corporation where he became a Quality Control designer and manager in Polaroid's collaboration with the U.S. Army where the work of his division was deemed confidential in serving the National interest. After 33 years of service ending in the New Bedford Coating Plant, Bob retired and he and Dottie moved to Easthampton, MA. A passionate golfer, Bob enjoyed membership at the Ponkapoag golf course in Canton, MA, the Walpole Country Club in Walpole, MA, the Pine Grove Golf Club in Easthampton, MA, and the Southampton Country Club in Southampton, MA. This passion drew him and Dottie for many winters to reside at Oceanside Village in Myrtle Beach, NC. Bob and Dottie lived for 22 years at 64 South Street Village in Easthampton, MA, where Bob was a past president of the Association, making many friends in Easthampton and Myrtle Beach who remain friends to this day. Always in Bob's family's memory are the great yearly golf match wins he had with his brother, Dusty, at the Dedham Country and Polo Club. Brittany, Bob's and Dottie's last of several Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, was known to have always greeted Bob's returns with loving enthusiasm. A life-long student of military history, Bob had a great respect for Civil War battlegrounds which he and Dottie frequently visited. This love of history extended into the family genealogy where his and Dottie's research led them to Maine, New Brunswick, and Ireland. Bob's remains have been entrusted to the Mitchell Funeral Home and will be memorialized in the family plot at Westhampton Cemetery in Westhampton, MA. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to: Disabled American Veterans, at P.O. Box145447, Cincinnati, OH 45250.