ROBERT BURGHARDT

Robert Burghardt of Central Highway, Stony Point, died on February 3, 2002. He was born on June 27, 1926 in New York City to Anton and Mary Burghardt. He is survived by Cecilia Chuchran Burghardt, his wife of forty-eight years, six children: Mary and Joseph Gilchrist of Trenton, NJ; Joseph and Sandra Burghardt of Neptune Beach, FL; Anne and Joseph Bartolone of Darien, CT; Rita and Brian McDonough of Upper Montclair, NJ; Irene and David Hauge of Tinton Falls, NJ; Robert and Lisa Burhardt of Spring City, PA; 13 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren; sister Madeline Toth of Stroudsberg, PA; brother, Andrew Burghardt of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His early education was at St. Stephen of Hungary School and Cardinal Hayes High School, followed by the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, a Master's Degree from Columbia University and post-graduate work at various universities. Mr. Burghardt served in the Merchant Marine during WWII in the Pacific Theatre; then, after the war, as a Marine Engineer, travelling to countries in South America, the Orient and Northern Europe. Additionally, he served on active duty with the US Navy in China prior to the communist takeover of the country. His career at sea was followed by a career in Education, starting at the US Maritime School in Sheepshead Bay then at Haverstraw High School. In 1959, he became one of the founding faculty of Rockland Community College, eventually becoming the Math Department Chaiman, a position he held until his retirement in 1988. In addition to his career in Education, Mr. Burghardt also was an Artist specializing in historic subjects. Although the special emphasis was on the changing scene in Rockland County, he also recorded now-vanished aspects of life in New York City and the coal region of PA. In addition to his artwork, he was a local historian who conducted tours both locally and to England. Mr. Burghardt was an active member of his community, volunteering for many organizations, including Helen Hayes Hospital and the Meals-On-Wheels Program. Friends may call Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home, Garnerville. Robert's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:15 a.m. in St. Gregory Barbarigo Church. Burial and Military Honors will follow in Ascension Cemetery, Monsey. For Guestbook and directions, please go to www.legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic Extension Society, 150 South Wacker Drive, 20th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or Catholic Charities, 78 Hudson Avenue, Haverstraw, New York 10927. T.J. MCGOWAN SONS FUNERAL HOME 71 North Central Highway Garnerville, NY 10923 (845)429-6665