Sioux City - Col. Robert C. "Bob" Burdick (USA Ret.), 94, of Sioux City passed away Feb. 19, 2014, at Sunrise Retirement Center.
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
He was born on May 13, 1919, in Sioux City, to James and Anna (Donnell) Burdick. Bob graduated from Central High School in 1937 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941. He served in the 34th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy during World War II in an anti-tank battalion. He was awarded four Bronze Star medals and a Combat Infantry Badge during his 39 months of combat duty, receiving a battlefield commission. He had 36 years in the military, and obtained the rank of colonel.
He married Joyce Stolen on July 12, 1947, in Sioux City. After he returned from the war, Bob was employed by the United States Post Office for 30 years, starting in the railway mail service and later as an auditor. He retired in 1974.
Bob was active with the Blue Lodge, Consistory, 32 Degree KCCH, Scottish Rite member, DeMolay member, Abu-Bekr Shrine Oriental Band, and American Legion Post 697. He was an active member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Burdick; a daughter, Susan and John Pascador of San Antonio, Texas; a son, Robert Jr. and Linda Burdick of Queen Creek, Ariz.; a daughter-in-law, Janis Burdick of Emmetsburg, Iowa; grandchildren, Matt Burdick, Aimee Styers, Jessica Libby, Bill Burdick Jr., and Joey and Sarah Pascador; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, William "Bill" C. Burdick Sr.