Ronald Harold Burbach

Ronald Harold Burbach
December 4, 1934 - May 21, 2011

In 1934, newlyweds Harold and Molly Burbach left their Nebraska farming life in search of work and a good place to begin their married life and raise a family. They settled in Portland, Oregon. Ronald Harold Burbach was born at the family home in the Irvington neighborhood, on December 4, 1934.
Ronny, as we was known then, grew up in a loving and devoted Christian home. Harold had begun his own business, The Harold Burbach Garbage Service, while Molly stayed home to devote herself to taking care of her family and serving the church. During his early school years, Ronny attended Elementary school where he made many lifelong friends including George Fink, Donny Roberts, Jack Seidler, and Bob Shidek. He began developing his musical ear and talents for the piano and the trombone, performing often in school and in church. His musical ability, coupled with his outgoing personality would characterize Ron's endeavors for many years to come. Ron worked alongside his dad throughout high school and began a devoted interest to the family business, now known as Rose City Sanitary Service. He played baseball in high school, continued playing music frequently and in June of 1952, graduated from Benson High School. With plans for college, he took a break from working on the trucks, packed his Ford Fairlane and headed off to California to attend Pasadena Nazarene for the next two years.
At age seven, Ronny's family grew to include a brother Jerold Jerod, and, four years later, a sister -Sharon Leloy. He and his family attended and actively participated in the life of the First German Congregational Church where Ronny attended Sunday School, completed classes for confirmation, sang in the church choir, played trombone in the church band and eventually led the singing at the evening Sunday Services. Ronny was known by all who attended the church. He was endeared by the elder church ladies, was a natural & charismatic leader up front, and was known to dabble in harmless mischief-making from time to time – much to the displeasure of his parents.
Upon returning from Pasadena Nazarene, Ron had the desire of enlisting in the Armed Forces and becoming an Army paratrooper. After a discussion with his mother and out of respect for her concerns, he opted, instead, to volunteer for the draft and began basic training at Fort Ord in Monterey Bay, California in the summer of 1955. Upon completion of basic, he was stationed closer to home at Fort Lewis Army Base in Washington State. In 1956, Ron traveled to Etain, France where he would serve out the remainder of his military service. While overseas, Ron continued his music, touring around Europe playing piano as a member of an Army Band. Ron entered a competitive truck rodeo where his skills for truck driving, learned at home, helped him win the event. His winning streak would continue. In February of 1956, Ron entered a photo of his girl back home, Nancy Smethers, into the Valentine's Day Sweetheart Contest and by popular vote, won an overseas phone call with Nancy. And, in January of 1957, Ron was honorably discharged from the service, and headed home. He and Nancy reunited, and became engaged to be married.
Ronald Burbach and Nancy Smethers were married on June 14, 1957 at First Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. Ron continued his work alongside his dad and began making plans to, one day, buy into the family business. Ron played Semi-Pro baseball during this time and served as the rhythmic and entertaining Drum Major for the Rose City Drum and Bugle Corps. Ron and Nancy moved into a small apartment near 31st and Alberta and began raising a family, in 1958, with the birth of Randall Scott Burbach. Ron and Nancy purchased and remodeled their first home at 3735 NE 75th Street in August of 1960 just prior to the arrival of their daughter, Karen Lynn in October of the same year. Julie Anne joined the family in September of 1961 and was the first child dedicated at Evangelical Congregational Church, the new home of the First German Congregational Church. Ron, Nancy and their children attended the new Church where Ron and Nancy sang in the choir and various quartets, and, along with their children, were active members in the life of the church. Ron coached Little League Baseball games for Randy's teams, and served as an enthusiastic and charismatic Little League Umpire. His unique and ear-catching style of calling strikes has likely never been duplicated to this day. In December of 1968, and much to the delight of his older brother and sisters, Richard Mark, (forever to be thought of as the 'baby brother') was born to round out the Ronald Burbach Family.
Ron had always loved the stories and traditions of the farm told to him by his parents, and desired a life in the country. He and Nancy purchased acreage on Salzman Road in Corbett, Oregon in 1967 and finally a home in the country in 1971. Route 1, Box 205, Corbett, Oregon became Ron's home for the rest of his life. During his years there, he raised his four children, devotedly tended the house and acreage, raised cattle and other animals, and attended more than his share of football games, wrestling matches, volleyball and softball games, piano recitals, choir and band concerts, high school musicals, promotions, graduations and any other activity to which his children were involved. Ron was always a dedicated spectator and number one fan for his children's and grandchildren's many, many pursuits. In 1972, he joined the Volunteer Fire Department and soon after received training to serve as an Emergency Medical Technician, often being a first responder to the emergencies declared in and around the Corbett Community. He joined the Corbett Booster Club and served for a few years as the announcer for the High School Football games during Richie's years in high school. He and Nancy participated in various competitive Bowling Leagues back in Portland where they maintained long-time friendships with the Portland crowd, while also making good and lasting friendships with the Place's, the Scott's, and others in and around the Corbett Community.
As the years passed, Ron's kids grew up and moved away – attending college, joining the service, entering the workplace and heading off to live out the lessons learned at home. All four kids remained very close to Ron. Randy and Rich joined him working in the business and eventually continued the family tradition, buying in as part owners of the now Twelve Mile Disposal Service. Julie stayed close to home and maintained close connections with her dad. Kari headed off to college and although farthest from home, felt her dad's unwavering support across the miles. All four kids had kids of their own, making Ron a proud grandpa of nine grandchildren: Scotty, Christopher, Ali, Jake, Robyn, Molly, Nicholas, Cody and Casey.
Until his stroke in 2003, Ron, now retired, lived and enjoyed the things he loved most: Annual hunting and fishing trips with his boys, spending time at his beach house in Rockaway, salmon fishing out of Garibaldi, hanging out with his buddies at local taverns, attending East Hill Church, traveling with friends, and catching the latest sporting event on his big screen television. In addition to his family, Ron leaves behind many, many friends who will always remember him as the quintessential life of the party, a good friend, an experienced fishing and hunting buddy, a great teller of stories and jokes, and one who lived life fully while enjoying the most simplest of life's pleasures his own way. He loved his Country, mourned when Elvis died, gave his kids hell when they deserved it, could cuss like a sailor, was proud of his German heritage, liked holding grand babies best when they didn't wobble, and felt deeply the sadness of loss and disappointment when life took difficult turns. And in all things, you could count on Ron picking up and moving on with an attitude that refused to dwell on the negative and insisted that you get done what needed to be done without complaints. To our dad, our grandpa, our brother, a husband, our uncle, our boss, and our friend….Ron, we'll miss you and we'll see you soon……. on the other side.