ROCHESTER - Rick A. Burkhead, 71, of Rochester, died peacefully after a short, but courageous battle with cancer on Monday, January 11, 2021. Born in Columbus, Ohio to J. Warren and Hazel R. Burkhead on September 9, 1949, he spent most of his years in St. Paul, Va.

After serving four (4) years in the U.S. Navy, Rick attended Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., where he earned a Civil Engineering degree, and later passed the Professional Engineering (P.E.) exam. His engineering degree took him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Thailand to work on construction/engineering projects.

From 2004-2016, Rick was employed by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations' (OBO) where he worked on construction management projects throughout the world. He retired in 2016 and moved to New Hampshire with his spouse.

Rick is predeceased by his parents, J. Warren and Hazel Burkhead, his in-laws, Norman J. and Beatrice LaBrecque and brother-in-law and best friend, Norman "Frenchie" LaBrecque, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Edythe of 49 years; sister Karen B. Price of Virginia Beach; sister-in-law, Barbara LaBrecque of Rochester; nieces Kimberly Merkel, Virginia Beach, Brandie Trepanier, Rochester; nephews Brandon Price, Virginia Beach and Michael LaBrecque of Rochester; and one grandniece and four grandnephews.

SERVICES: A private service will be held this spring at Haven Hill Cemetery.

Donations can be made to your local animal shelter or SPCA in Rick's name. Please go to www.grondinfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Foster's Daily Democrat from Jan. 15 to Jan. 18, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Rick Burkhead

Sponsored by Grondin Funeral Home - Rochester.

9 Entries

Frank Banks

January 30, 2021

Edie, Marny and I send our thoughts to you and wish you the best during this hard time. We so much enjoyed Rick at work in OBO and especially the dinners together in N.H. and VA. Rick was a special friend and will be greatly missed. Frank & Marny Banks

Maryann Greene

January 19, 2021

Dear Edie, Elbert and I send our thoughts and prayers to you at this time. My sister Jean and I always talk about the time we all had dinner and Filomena's and how much fun we had talking with Rick about music. We are glad we had the opportunity to meet Rick and spend some time with him. Love, Maryann & Elbert

Amy Carey

January 19, 2021

Dear Edie, Thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort during your time of sorrow. Love, Amy Carey

Irma and Felix Ocanas

January 18, 2021

Dear Edie. We were so saddened to hear about Rick's passing. We share many memories from our distant past. The four of us. We went thru some trials and tribulations of living in a country where the culture is so different and our discussions were interesting. You and I met at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, two admin assts working for different departments. And we introduced the guys to each other. Both of them civil engineers doing construction engineering in the Middle East. We have enjoyed our friendship enormously. We loved Rick as we love you. It is tragic to hear that he went through so much ill health in the last year, Edie! May he now RIP.
Love you always,
Irma and Felix

Steve & Debbie Turgeon

January 17, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mary Tuohy

January 17, 2021

Dear Edie
My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this very sad time for you all. Rick, May he RIP will live in our hearts forever!
Love Mary Tuohy

Kathy & Greg

January 16, 2021

Our prayers are with you Edie. We will miss our dinners with you and Rick. Rick had a tough year and we were looking forward to our next time together either at dinner or wine in the driveway. We have many fun memories of our travels around the state with the two of you.

Barbara LaBrecque

January 16, 2021

Rick even though you were my brother in law you were always consider my brother. You were always there to help me with any questions I had after my husband passed and listen to my thoughts when I needed someone to just listen. I will miss you terribly Rick, you fought hard, now your with Frenchie and the two of you can go forward to do what you planned but never got the chance here. Love you Rick, one day we will all be together again and the family will be completed once again. Bless you brother.

Jim and Jean Anne Twombly

January 15, 2021

Jean Anne and I were deeply saddened to hear of Rick's passing. We know he went through a lot this last year and he was very courageous with his illnesses. Please accept our sincerest sympathies, condolences and prayers. If you need any help, we are here for you.

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