Richard Burdick

1929 - 2018

BURDICK, Richard L. "Dick" Founder and former CEO of Thermon Industries, Inc., passed away peacefully at home with his family after a brief illness on February 25, 2018, at the age of 88. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Dick Burdick attended Webb City (Missouri) High School; Joplin Junior College Associate of Science Degree; Missouri University, School of Mines and Metallurgy, Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. While attending college, he also served with the Corps of Engineers R.O.T.C., and with the Armored Division of the Missouri National Guard. He served two years (1946-48) with the 88th Infantry Division, U. S. Army in Italy. Upon graduation from college, he became a Project Engineer for E. I. duPont de Nemours in La Porte, Texas, and it was while there that with the approval of his supervisor, he developed Heat Transfer Cement, the product which soon became the beginning of Thermon Manufacturing Company, which he founded in Houston in 1954. The company moved from Houston to San Marcos in 1971, and today is the leader in the field of heat tracing systems, with affiliates worldwide. In addition to his very full business career, he was also very active in his community. He was a member of the Rotary Club of San Marcos, and served as Governor of Rotary District 5840 in 1989-90. He had perfect attendance since being inducted into the club in 1971. He had been a member of the School of Business Advisory Council of Southwest Texas State University since 1983, and had been on the Board of Trustees for Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio since 1984. His interest in the Boy Scouts of America started in 1941 when he joined Troop 29 in Webb City, Missouri. While in Houston, and later in Smithville, Texas, he was Unit Leader for the Webelos. In 1979, he became active with the Capital Area Council in Austin, Texas, holding a variety of positions including Council President in 1986. He was most recently a member of the Executive Board. In 1987, he was asked to serve as President of Area I in the South Central Region, and later in 1990 held the position of President of that Region and subsequently co-President of the newly formed Southern Region. In addition, he was very active as Regional Chairman of the 1989 National Jamboree. He served as Trust Committee Chairman for the Southern Region. In 1991, he held the position of Chairman-World Jamboree Exhibits Committee, held in Seoul, Korea. He served as Chairman of Operations for the 1993 National Jamboree; Chairman of the Council Services Committee; Chairman of Support Service for the 1995 World Jamboree; Vice Chairman for the 1997 Jamboree; and attended the World Jamboree in Chile in December 1998. He served as International Commissioner for twelve years, as an officer on the National Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and as Chairman of the National Court of Honor. He is the recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and Silver Buffalo Awards, along with The Bronze Wolf Award, the only award of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. He founded the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History in Rosanky, Texas in 1982. This non-profit educational foundation currently has on display over 80 antique and vintage automobiles. In July 2009, he opened Dick's Classic Garage in San Marcos. His love for antique automobiles and racing was further highlighted in 25 years of participation in an annual event called the Great American Race, an 11-day transcontinental antique car rally. He consistently placed among the top finishers in his 1924 Bentley Racer, and most recently, a 1916 Hudson Speedster, having won the Best Cumulative score for two years; the World Class Champion in 1995, and the Grand Championship in 1989, 1990, 1992, 2000, and 2003. He is survived by his loving wife Johnnie, six children: Sandy (Danny) Rodriguez, Mark (Carolyn) Burdick, Michelle (Carlos) Russo, David (Lisa) Burdick, Amy (Richard) Burdick-Golden, and Nikki (Richard) Skidmore, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was passionate about travel, Italian food, family and fun. He was a "collector of collections," and lived each day to the fullest. Though he will be sorely missed, his legacy will continue to touch the lives of all who knew him. II Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Visitation 5:00 pm -8:00 pm, Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Pennington Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, 129 W. Hutchison Street, San Marcos, Texas, with a reception to follow at Dick's Classic Garage, 120 Stagecoach Trail in San Marcos. Shuttle service will be available from Dick's Classic Garage to the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, TX 78666, (512) 353-4311. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, 2226 N.W. Military Hwy., San Antonio, TX 78213-1894.