Robert ‘Bob’ L. Burch, 85

Robert “Bob” L. Burch of Hansville died Dec. 11, 2004. He was 85.

He was born in Seattle on Nov. 23, 1919.

Burch married Myrtle Heminover and then Shirley Langdon-Smith.

He grew up in Burien and attended Highline High School. He earned a doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

Burch first worked as an Air Force Captain in Reno, working with survival training specialists. After his discharge, he returned to north Seattle and built the Crown Hill Veterinary Clinic. After selling the Crown Hill practice, he opened the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic in Greenwood. He was active in the State Veterinary Association and recently received a lifetime achievement award from WSU.

In retirement, Burch and his wife enjoyed taking cruises and tours throughout the world and often took their motor home and their dog Mandy on many trips throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Burch enjoyed the family summer cabin in Hansville and eventually built a house on the property next door to his sister and has lived there since 1992. He was active in the community and helped establish the Hansville Huggers, wellness programs, community support to create parks and walking paths, guest speaker engagements, concerts and benefit rummage sales.

Burch is survived by his wife Shirley Burch; sons Dennis and Neil (Kay), Shirley’s sons Jeff Smith and Roger Smith; Shirley’s daughter Laurie Johnson; sister Dorothy Linscott; and grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 18 at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle. A Celebration of Life, open to the public, will be from 2-5 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Hansville Community Center.

Donations can be sent to the Myrtle Burch Scholarship-Swedish Medical Center Foundation, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122