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William Burch Obituary
Des Moines
William "Bill" Koeppen Burch, Sr., 83, passed away February 17, 2013 at home at Scottish Rite Park. He was born August 19, 1929 in Arion, Iowa to Louis and Bertha Burch. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy, and served as an Electrical Technician on a destroyer in the Pacific Fleet during the Korean Conflict. Bill graduated in 1956 with a B.S. degree in geology from the University of Iowa. He worked as a representative and research assistant for Ortho Pharmaceutical Company.
Bill married Joyce Rittenhouse on June 22, 1954. He was active in the Izaak Walton League and received an honorary commendation from Governor Branstad for his work with youth, teaching gun safety. He is a life member of the Beaverdale VFW, the Missouri Valley American Legion, the Masonic Consistory, the Iowa Ornithologist's Union, and St. John's Lutheran Church.
Bill enjoyed traveling the U.S. and Mexico, bird watching and fishing wherever he was. He loved children, and was called "Grandpa" by many neighborhood children. He loved working with wood: making furniture, carving figures, plaques and walking sticks. The walking sticks he gave to others will be traveling all over the U.S. for years to come.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce; his children: William, Jr. (Martha), Ruth (Chris) Liles, and Kathleen Myers; grandson, Derek Lee (Tracy) Myers; great-grandchildren: Connor O'Donnell-Myers, Taryn and Benjamin Myers; brothers: Louis "Bud" and Bennett; sisters: Julia Gingerich, Joyce Dow and Carol Flynn. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Paula Swift and Lois Baker; and brother, James "Bob" Burch.
A private service was held February 19 at the Merle Hay Funeral Home. A Celebration of Bill's Life and interment of his cremated remains will be held at Bigler's Grove Cemetery, Woodbine, Iowa on June 22, 2013. Memorials in Bill's name may be sent to the Iowa Ornithologist's Union's Iowa Young Birders Program, 1201 High Avenue West, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577 or St. John's Lutheran Church, 600 6th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Burch
4 Entries
March 12, 2013
Joyce, and family, was sorry to hear that Bill had passed away. The kids and I used to go down to Witmer Park in the Summertime. Bill was always lending a helpful hand to Chris and Cindy, fixing a bike or flying a kite. What a wonderful person. It was so strange that Chris & I had been talking about you folks about a week before he had passed away. Didn't know you had moved to Scottish Rite Park. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Chris & Cindy Boyce & Mary Boyce/Brown
Mary Baker
February 25, 2013
Dear Joyce, Kathy, Bill and Ruth, I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Burch passing away. I have so many fond memories of Mr. Burch and his turtles, ducks, martin house, and his care of Witmer Pond and the Park. I also have a special memory of attending the gun safety course at the Isaak Walton League with your Dad as an instructor. Best wishes from Mary Seaman Baker up in St. Paul.
Becky Snider-Brown
February 24, 2013
Dear Kathy, Joyce and family,
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I hope you will carry with you many wonderful memories of his life. I certainly remember interesting times with "Mr Burch" while growing up on Witmer Park. He was a great steward of the pond and park there.
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