Virgil H. Burghard
Virgil H. Burghard died on Feb. 25, 2008, at the age of 91. He was known for his beaming smile, his positive attitude and his gentle loving nature. He was born June 17, 1916, to Lillian and Fred Burghard on the family wheat farm in Ritzville.
The oldest of 12, at a very early age he was working the farm, driving as many as six teams of horses pulling the plows and combines. He often said one of his happiest days on the farm was when his father took all the horses to town and returned with an International tractor.
He graduated from Ritzville High School in 1935 after taking a year off to run the farm during his father's illness.
In World War II he was the first person to enlist in Adams County. He served in the Army Air Corp as a Staff Sergeant at various bases on the west coast and Hawaii. While stationed at Fort Lewis, he met Enid Paulson, a teacher in nearby Lacey, who had grown up in Mt. Angel, Ore. They were married on Sept. 5, 1942.
In 1947 he and Enid moved to Oregon City and they bought their home in 1954. In this Harding Blvd. home they raised their sons and resided for 51 years. He began working for Clackamas Auto Parts in 1948. His years there were only interrupted once when he worked for his brother-in-law, John Paulson, in manufacturing in Portland. Virgil returned to Clackamas Auto Parts and retired after 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Enid, who resides at Farmington Square in Tualatin, Ore.; sons, Vance and wife Wendy of Sherwood, Ore.; Kent and wife Chyah of Cordova, Tenn.; brothers, Herbert of Odessa; Donald of Moses Lake; sisters, Viola Arlt of Ritzville; Ramona Meise of Odessa; Shirley Rhodes of Spokane; and his three grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were brothers, Lavern, Leroy, James and Raymond; and sister, Betty Hughes.
He and Enid attended Zion Lutheran Church for over 50 years and participated on many levels in leadership and volunteerism.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Zion Lutheran Church, 720 Jefferson St., Oregon City, Ore. with a reception following. A family graveside ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m., Valley View Cemetery, Silverton, Ore.
Virgil H. Burghard
Virgil H. Burghard died on Feb. 25, 2008, at the age of 91. He was known for his beaming smile, his positive attitude and his gentle loving nature. He was born June 17, 1916, to Lillian and Fred Burghard on the family wheat farm in Ritzville.
The oldest of 12, at a very early age he was working the farm, driving as many as six teams of horses pulling the plows and combines. He often said one of his happiest days on the farm was when his father took all the horses to town and returned with an International tractor.
He graduated from Ritzville High School in 1935 after taking a year off to run the farm during his father's illness.
In World War II he was the first person to enlist in Adams County. He served in the Army Air Corp as a Staff Sergeant at various bases on the west coast and Hawaii. While stationed at Fort Lewis, he met Enid Paulson, a teacher in nearby Lacey, who had grown up in Mt. Angel, Ore. They were married on Sept. 5, 1942.
In 1947 he and Enid moved to Oregon City and they bought their home in 1954. In this Harding Blvd. home they raised their sons and resided for 51 years. He began working for Clackamas Auto Parts in 1948. His years there were only interrupted once when he worked for his brother-in-law, John Paulson, in manufacturing in Portland. Virgil returned to Clackamas Auto Parts and retired after 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Enid, who resides at Farmington Square in Tualatin, Ore.; sons, Vance and wife Wendy of Sherwood, Ore.; Kent and wife Chyah of Cordova, Tenn.; brothers, Herbert of Odessa; Donald of Moses Lake; sisters, Viola Arlt of Ritzville; Ramona Meise of Odessa; Shirley Rhodes of Spokane; and his three grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were brothers, Lavern, Leroy, James and Raymond; and sister, Betty Hughes.
He and Enid attended Zion Lutheran Church for over 50 years and participated on many levels in leadership and volunteerism.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Zion Lutheran Church, 720 Jefferson St., Oregon City, Ore. with a reception following. A family graveside ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m., Valley View Cemetery, Silverton, Ore.
Inscription
Married September 5, 1942
Family Members
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Herbert Christian Burghard
1917–2013
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Lavern Dennis Burghard
1919–1920
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LeRoy Burghard
1921–1921
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Viola Agnes Burghard Arlt
1922–2009
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Harvey James "Jim" Burghard
1925–1993
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Betty Lou Burghard Hughes
1926–1999
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Ramona J. Burghard Meise
1928–2020
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Donald Fred "Don" Burghard
1931–2018
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Raymond Gene Burghard
1938–1998
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