Richard E. "Rick" Burd

Burd, Richard E. "Rick" November 12, 1948 - May 28, 2015 Resident of San Francisco Rick lost his three year battle with colon cancer on May 28, 2015. For the last year of his life he lived with and was cared for by his brother Steve Burd and sister-in-law, Chris Burd of Alamo, CA. Rick was born in Valley City, ND to the parents of Richard (Dick) and Elda Burd (Sporel). He was the middle child of three boys. Rick's pre-high school years were spent in Minot, ND where he got his initial start in the "Arts". Rick was very proud of his North Dakota roots and made frequent return trips to his birth state. Rick's high school and college years were spent in Wisconsin where he attended Pewaukee High School and later Carroll University. He was a member of his high school choir and had a leading role in the production of "The King and I". While at Carroll University, he majored in Art and Drama and played the role of J. Pierpont Finch in "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying". Rick graduated in 1971 with a BA degree and a teaching certificate. After substitute teaching for a year and a half, he loaded up his station wagon and moved to California in 1973 to begin navigating the entertainment industry. Rick's early career reads like a classic Hollywood story. He was bussing tables in Southern California when his first script landed him a staff position with Gary Marshall on Happy Days and the Odd Couple. His first comedy audition led to two side-splitting appearances on The Gong Show singing "Me and My Shadow"; where he garnered the coveted 30 points. Rick left California in 1979 and moved to New York where he started a singing telegram business. This turned out to be a great opportunity for Rick to capitalize on his multifaceted creativity. He made the costumes for his singers, he wrote the lyrics and often performed for clients. He also performed as a stand-up comic at multiple venues including college campuses. Rick returned to California in 1995 to concentrate on his writing. He reengaged with an early California friend, Billy Edwards and they became partners until Billy's death in 2003. Rick's demand for daily social interaction was satisfied by working part-time for a book store where he entertained co-workers and clients with regularity. He wrote a number of short plays that were performed at local theaters. In 2014 he wrote a play, based largely on his own family experiences, called "Champagne Lady" which he directed and produced at an off-Broadway location in New York City. To say that Rick was entertaining would be a gross understatement. Rick will be remembered for his love of the Arts, his affable personality, his courage during times of adversity and the respect he showed to everyone he encountered. You could not spend time with Rick without being impacted by his love for life. He was a beautiful man who was deeply loved by all who got to know him. Among his greatest legacies will be the people he touched every day. To Rick, everyone was "important". He was so easy to talk to it didn't matter if you just met on the bus, were a life-long friend, or just walked into the book store, you were always "somebody" to Rick Burd. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him. And, he will never be forgotten. A memorial service will be held June 27th at 4:00 PM in Alamo, CA.