Robert Leroy Burden

1927 - 2015

Robert (Bob) Leroy Burden
January 6, 1927 - August 31, 2015
Robert (Bob) Leroy Burden passed away peacefully, at home in Modesto on August 31, 2015.  Born in Pixley, CA, he lived his 88 years in Tulare and Stanislaus Counties.  He graduated from Orestimba High School, making life-long friends, and meeting the love of his life, Betty Lea Coyle.  Bob and Betty married in 1947, sharing 68 wonderful years together.  He served in the Air force near the end of WWII.  Bob was a romantic - sending flowers, candy, and sweet cards to Betty.
He loved playing football in his youth, and enjoyed watching sports (Go Giants and 49ers!) and attending sporting events.  Going to the Indy 500 with his friend, Dennis Murphy, was his favorite.
 He learned from his father to be a butcher; owned several butcher shops and a meat locker plant.  Bob was a founding partner of MTSP, a family partnership where he managed several vineyards and walnut ranches.   He was also a founding partner in RIM Corporation, a hotel development and management company, along with his sons, Jim and Mark.  In addition, he was a partner in Burden Farming Company with his son, Mike.  
He had a special love for gardening, designing and tending his own beautiful rose garden.  He enjoyed camping, picnics, trips to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Lake Tahoe with his family.  Bob and Betty hosted many gatherings at their homes.  Bob was a great cook - competing with his brother, Glenn, for the best fudge and caramels.  He loved working on his genealogy with his daughter, Judy.  He was a rock for his family - always calm, collected; making the best of things and always there to offer words of wisdom and encouragement.  He adored his grandchildren, who gave him great joy.  
Besides Betty, he is survived by his brother, Glenn (Cleta), his children, Judy, Jim (Carrie), Mike (Doris) and Mark (Joy), his grandchildren, Mike (Jessica), Alexandria,  Hillary, and Jazmine Burden, Johnathan and Curtiss (Shannon) Staggs, and his extended family. 
Viewing will be September 9 from 4-8 pm and the service on September 10 at 10 am, both at the Lakewood Funeral Home – Heritage Chapel.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250-0301 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
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