Mr. Thomas Roland Burd

On Saturday, May 9, 2020, Thomas Roland Burd, loving husband, father of three children and grandfather of five grandchildren, passed away at the age of 83 in Rancho Mirage, California. Tom was born October 22, 1936, to Charles Roland Burd and Ellen Lucille (Gallup) Burd in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He was one of two children. As a youngster, Tom played several sports and the piano while having good times with friends and family at the Bolgos Family Farm.  He was part of Tau Kappa Epsilon ("The Tekes") fraternity and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1959 with a B.S. in Business.  Shortly after graduating, he would join the Army and remain in the reserves until the mid-1960's. Tom went on to have a long successful career in insurance, serving 41 years as a claims manager for State Farm Insurance.  He began his career in 1960 in the Michigan Region.  Recognized for his good work in auto and fire, Tom was selected for various positions, including claim representative, claim specialist, claim superintendent, and divisional claim superintendent.  In 1978, Tom moved to the Westlake Region in Southern California to become a fire division manager.  As Fire Division Manager, he helped develop the Region's special disaster program and lead the Company through "The Painted Cave Fire" in Santa Barbara, California, in 1990.  He later returned to Michigan in 1995 after being selected for the position of Fire Claim Manager and would go on to finish his career as Auto Claim Manager for the Outstate Division.  He was known by many to be a mentor and friend, helping several people grow and become managers within the Company. In 2001, Tom would retire with Sue, his wife of 43 years, to Sun City Palm Desert to enjoy the warm California sunshine, play golf and enjoy family and friends.  Over the years, Tom was a member of the Elks Lodge, coached youth sports and supported several charitable organizations.  An avid sports fan, Tom had a passion early on for softball and golf.  He enjoyed watching the games he loved, especially, football, basketball and baseball.  His fondness for University of Michigan athletics was second to none.  Over the years, he attended several home Michigan football games and his fair share of Rose Bowls, tailgating with family and friends.  Good times that he would always reflect on.  He always cherished January 1, 1998, when Michigan won the Rose Bowl and its first college football national championship in 50 years. A man of faith, Tom would go to mass with family years before officially joining the Catholic Church in 2005.  He built great friendships through the Church and belonged to several parishes over the years, including St. Paschal Baylon (Thousand Oaks, California), St. Philip's (Battle Creek, Michigan) and Sacred Heart (Palm Desert, California). His family and friends knew him to be smart, kind, funny and loving (even if you were a Buckeye or Spartan).  He loved life and was especially proud of watching his grandchildren grow up over the years, both near and far.  He is preceded in death by his son Chuck Burd (2017) and is survived by his wife Sue Burd, daughter Cheri Molnar (Jim Molnar) and son T.J. Burd (Lee Ann Burd), daughter-in-law Angela Burd, grandchildren Jaclyn Molnar, Jamie Molnar, Spencer Burd, Samantha Burd and Jake Burd, brother Dick Burd and several nieces and nephews. Tom, you are a victor valiant, a conquering hero, the leader and best, and forever, the champion of the West.  May God drape his loving arms over you.  You will always be missed and never forgotten.  We all love you!  Go Blue!