Robert C. Burke

WHITSETT - Mr. Robert C. Burke, 81, of 728 Greyrock Road, Whitsett, died on October 4, 2016 at Edgewood Place after several years of declining health.

A native of Burlington, he was the husband of 58 years to Shirley Pritchard Burke and the son of the late C. W. "Bunk" Burke and Flora Nicks Burke. Robert was the 11th of 12 siblings.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Lisa Burke, of Raleigh; two brothers Hilton Burke and Raymond Burke of Columbia, South Carolina and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Dora Ann Butler, Alice Sutton, Ethel Langley, Valeria Matherly, and Betsy Watkins; and brothers, Carl "Bunk" Burke, Wallace Burke, Norman "Spider" Burke, and Hugh "Buck" Burke.

He graduated from Walter Williams High School in 1955. Upon graduation he was pictured in the Burlington Times News with a 12 year perfect attendance record! Robert loved attending class reunions and monthly class luncheons.

He was in Burlington's Last Soap Box Derby in 1947. His Daddy who owned, "C.W. Burke Auto Repair" sponsored him.

Robert enjoyed celebrating this event in 2012 with former participants.

Robert Burke was a Sales Rep and retired from National Linen and Uniform Service in Graham.

He was of Christian faith. From his early years, Robert was a former member of Beverly Hills UCC as a deacon and a member of many committees. He was a charter member and deacon of New Mission UCC which merged with St. John's New Mission UCC.

In his younger years he enjoyed playing golf with friends, brothers, and coworkers at local Alamance County golf clubs. Robert had a strong and accurate swing!

He was a member of the Burlington Civitan Club for 44 years and was President in 1990 and Civitan of the Year in 1976 and 2012.

Robert worked on Fruit Cake projects for many years and also led a Civitan Candy Box Project.

He loved to wear his Civitan hat as he visited many Alamance County Restaurants that supported this project that was named "Number One for Small Clubs in the USA".

Robert was a "people person" and loved to converse with others about other Civitan events.

Robert was an avid Duke University football and basketball fan! He, his family, and friends attended many games together. Robert's family even took "road trips" to a football Bowl game in Alabama and to a Duke vs. University of Tennessee football game!

You often saw him with his favorite Duke t-shirt, sweater, or hat. He greatly admired the "class and respect" that Coach K brought to the ACC. There were many family birthdays celebrated watching the ACC Basketball Tournament!

Robert had a strong respect for family and history. He organized the last Burke Family Reunion at Western Charcoal Steak House and enjoyed displaying many generations of family pictures.

He also enjoyed organizing and participating in "Friends of the Big Gun" events with old friends from Alamance County.

Robert was very patriotic and enjoyed July 4th and Memorial Day celebrations. As he was stationed at Fort Bliss Texas, Robert had tremendous respect for our country. He loved celebrating its history with many family members and friends on vacations to Tennessee, the mountains of North Carolina, and Florida.

Robert instilled a strong sense of the importance of education in his daughter, Lisa, who became a teacher! She remembers her father reading to her on a daily basis as a child. He visited her classrooms and the students loved her dad. They often asked, "When is Grandpa coming back to visit?"

The family will receive friends at the Rich and Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington on Saturday, October 8, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. at the Rich and Thompson Chapel with Rev. Jim Mitchell officiating the service.

Burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers and staff at Edgewood Place for their love, care, friendship, and compassion shown to the family.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.