Verlin Neil Burchard

1925 - 2015

Verlin Neil Burchard
26 Year Resident of Santa Cruz
Services will be on Saturday in Santa Cruz for Verlin Neil Burchard who passed away peacefully at his Santa Cruz home on Sunday evening, surrounded by his loving family. Although our hearts are saddened by his passing, we celebrate his life and his time with us as husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Verlin was born on March 30, 1925 in Fresno, CA to William and Gladys Burchard. He served in World War II as a U.S. Navy Signalman from 1943 to 1946. He participated in the Allied Landing at Normandy on June 6, 1944 and was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government. After Normandy, he was sent to the Pacific Theatre and was involved in naval operations up until peace was declared.
Verlin graduated from Fresno State College in 1949 with his Bachelors Degree and from University of the Pacific in 1956 with his Masters Degree. Verlin married Bernice Bickner on June 10, 1951 and moved to Tracy, CA, where he was an educator for 36 years. He was a history teacher, then principal at Tracy High School; later serving as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Tracy Public School District. Verlin also served as District president of the California Association of School Administrators, and as President of the Tracy Rotary Club. Verlin retired in 1986; upon his wife's retirement in 1988, he and Bernice moved to Santa Cruz, where he remained active as a shuttle driver for Toyota of Santa Cruz. He was a faithful member of Messiah Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir. Verlin participated in the Santa Cruz Elementary School's "Grandparent Program" and loved wood-working, gardening, and listening to his music collection.
Verlin is survived by his wife of 64 wonderful years, Bernice, his three children, Steven Neil Burchard of San Diego, CA; William George Burchard (Marilyn) of Danville, CA; and Susanne Marie Burchard of Sacramento, CA. He also leaves his six grandchildren: Stella Marie Burchard of Los Angeles, CA; Samantha Elizabeth Hopper (Will) of Northampton, MA; Amelia Rose Burchard of Baltimore, MD; Elizabeth Louise Burchard of Yountville, CA; Victoria Christine Burchard of Danville, CA; Catherine Nicole Burchard of Danville, CA; his great granddaughter, Dylan Marie Hopper of Northampton, MA; and his brother, William Burchard (Evelyn) of Fresno.
Friends and family will gather to honor Verlin at a memorial service on Saturday December 5th at Messiah Lutheran Church (801 High St.) in Santa Cruz. The service will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude with military honors. The family thanks the Heartland Hospice and appreciates their loving care in tending to Verlin during his final days. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to either the Heartland Hospice or to Messiah Lutheran Church.

"What we are is God's gift to us, what we become is our gift to God"


View the online memorial for Verlin Neil Burchard