Robert C. Burgener

BURGENER Robert C. Burgener of Columbus, OH, age 86, passed on September 1, 2008. He was born in October 10, 1921 to Erna and John Burgener, and grew up in small towns in OH, close to Mansfield. His first job was a bicycle repairman. When World War II broke out, Bob enlisted in the United States Army/Air Force. He served in 1942-44 in North Africa and Italy, being honorably discharged as a master sergeant in 1945. He took advantage of the GI bill and attended Case Western Reserve College in Cleveland, OH, where he majored in electrical engineering. He married Fay Hedding and moved to Tennessee where he continued his studies at the University of Tennessee. Their son William Ray Burgener was born in May 14, 1953. Their daughter Jyl Anna Burgener was born Nov 3, 1954. They moved back to Ohio to be closer to their parents. Bob Burgener got a career job at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, OH. He was well-respected and loved by his colleagues. He was a hard, energetic contributor to this non-profit research center. He participated in the patenting of at least five inventions. He traveled to South America twice, to Japan, and recently traveled throughout the United States through work and his family. He worked for Battelle Memorial Institute for 35 years and was an exemplary and welcome addition to that institute. He retired and spent much of his time with his family, his wife, his son, his daughter, and his granddaughter Cristin. He was much beloved by his wife Fay, and they had a happy marriage of 57 years. His was a spirit rarely found. All that knew him, and he had friends all over the world, were touched for the better by meeting Robert Burgener. God bless him. His is survived by his loving family; his wife, Fay; his children, Jyl and Bill; his granddaughter, Cristin; and his sister-in-law, Effie. No funeral arraignments have been made. Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries