Richard Edward “Dick” Burdick, 83

Richard Edward “Dick” Burdick was born March 4, 1940 to Clyde Edward Burdick and Gertrude Mae Becker in Grand Island, NE. He attended kindergarten in Chadron, NE. That summer the family moved to Ainsworth, NE, where he attended the first grade at Ainsworth Elementary School. He graduated from Ainsworth High School with the Class of 1958. Shortly after graduation, Dick went to Oregon to work for relatives there. Returning in the fall, he attended McCook Junior College. While his parents were working and living in Ethiopia, he lived with them for a time and attended college there for a semester. Later, he also attended Hastings Community College in Hastings, NE where he took Basic Drafting and Mechanical Drafting.

Dick and Diana Carty were married November 4, 1962 in York, NE. To this union, two boys were born. Troy in 1964 and Sean in 1966. The couple was divorced in 1979.

In his working career, Dick worked for Hested Stores as manager or assistant-manager in many stores between York, NE and Hettinger, ND.

After Hested Stores employment, he worked for Dennis Heerman Engineering out of Valentine, NE and a South Dakota Engineering Firm. Dick’s family lived in Rapid City, SD for a time. He was an excellent draftsman and loved his work.

Later, Dick met Jane Edwards Sobotka, formerly of Valentine, NE. They were married March 12, 1982.

Dick’s last employment was the City of Longmont, CO as a Senior Civil Design Engineering Technician. He retired Dec. 18, 2008.

Tragedy and sadness engulfed the family when Jane’s daughter, Brenda Bean, died from cancer leaving her husband and three small daughters, Casey Jo (7), and twins Jami and Andi (2). Jane and Dick devoted many years to helping raise those little girls. After the girls were out of high school, Dick and Jane moved one last time in 2018 to Buffalo, WY, near her son, Brent and Connie Sobotka. Jane was diagnosed with bone cancer early in 2022 and passed away November 11, 2022. Dick down-sized, sold their home in Buffalo and moved back to Ainsworth, NE August 7, 2023. Two months later, Dick was diagnosed with lung cancer. Requesting no treatment, he passed away peacefully January 11, 2024 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth, NE. As per his wishes, no service will be held at this time.

Survivors include sons, Troy Burdick of Valentine, NE and Sean Burdick of Knoxville, IA; two granddaughters; stepsons, Brian Sobotka (Marita), Colorado Springs, CO and Brent Sobotka (Connie), Buffalo, WY; five step-grandchildren, Shawn and Natasha Sobotka, Casey Jo, Jami and Andi Bean; sister, Shirley Lentz of Ainsworth; sisters-in-law, Rose Burdick of Arlington, OR and Mary Ann Burdick of Lakewood, CO; Joy McGill, Blair, NE; brothers-in-law, Jim Edwards, Valentine, NE, Bill Edwards (Carolyn) of Kearney; nieces, nephews, other family members and forever friend, Marilyn Stewart.

Preceding Dick in death were his parents, Clyde and Gertrude Burdick; brothers, Jimmy, Eugene and Kenneth Burdick; step-daughter, Brenda Bean; parents-in-law, Robert and Leona Edwards.

Hoch Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.