Byron Orville "Paul" BURCH

BURCH, Byron "Paul" Orville On August 20, 2015, our beloved Byron "Paul" Orville Burch passed away peacefully with family by his side in Santa Rosa, CA. Byron was born in 1940 in St. Paul, MN, the son of Reverend Orville Myrland Burch and Estella Amanda Burch. He was the oldest of his siblings: sister, Beryl Hewitt, and brothers, Burdell, Beldon, and Berkley. After graduating from San Juan Capistrano High School and Westmont College in Santa Barbara, he studied at the San Francisco Theological Seminary and earned his master's degree in literature at San Francisco State University in 1971. He joined the winemaking retail supply store of Wine and The People after developing a passion for winemaking and the craft of brewing beer. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen Anne Burch; his four daughters, Alicia Laurel Boyce, Sierra Joy Burch Tobler, Neva Vineyard Burch Tewolde, and Robyn Sequoia Burch Rosemon; and stepdaughters, Heidi Dawson, and Lisa Gerry. He was a loving "Papa" and is survived by seven grandchildren: Isaiah and Leah Brown, Corbin and Gabriel Rosemon, Emma and Allen Boyce, and Walter Tobler. He was also a caring godfather to Zechariah Bell. Byron and Karen attended St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church where he was a reader and choir member. He was a pioneer in the homebrewing and home-winemaking industry and the proprietor of Great Fermentations in San Rafael and later, The Beverage People in Santa Rosa. He wrote and self-published a leading book on homebrewing, Brewing Quality Beers. He achieved the status of a Master Judge in the Beer Judge Certification Program after winning many awards for his beers at national competitions including National Homebrewer of the Year and Meadmaker of the Year. He was a loyal friend to many, including the mothers of his children, Nancy Vineyard and Joanne Lagerstrom. He was also a passionate gardener and an avid Oakland Athletics baseball fan. Byron believed there was beauty in excellence and he enjoyed pursuing his passions to the fullest. His family and friends fondly remember his delightful sense of humor, never ending curiosity, and his giant, loving hugs.