Richard “RW” Burdick

Minot

Richard Burdick, 84, Minot, died Thursday, May 4, 2023, in a Minot Hospital.

Richard William “RW” Burdick was born on June 15, 1938, to S.M. and Eleanor (Satterlee) Burdick in Fargo, ND. He was raised and educated in Grand Forks, where he graduated from Central High School in 1956. RW attended the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND where he earned an Associate Degree of Automotive Mechanic. RW was ready to lease his own service station, but instead received his draft card. On September 1, 1961, RW enlisted into the United States Air Force to serve his country and turned it into a career of which he was very proud. RW served two tours in the Vietnam War.

Shortly after enlisting, RW married Caroline Yanish and they had two daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria. During that time, they lived in Montana and Grand Forks. They divorced in 1973.

On March 12, 1976, RW was united in marriage to Lana Huber in Minot and adopted her son Mike. They made their home in Minot, where RW was stationed at the Minot Air Force Base, and had a daughter, Jennifer. He retired from the Air Force on September 1, 1984, after 23 years of service as a Master Sergeant. Following his retirement, RW furthered his education by attending Minot State University, earning a degree in History, Secondary Education and Political Science.

RW began working at Wal-Mart as an associate, a career he thoroughly enjoyed, and retired after 25 years. In addition, he worked with area students as a tutor. In his retirement years, he and Lana enjoyed traveling around the United States. He was an excellent artist, musician, and mechanic. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Richard is survived by sister: Marian (Milt) Kinzler; daughters: Elizabeth (Jeff) Borgen, Victoria (Daniel) Johnson; Jennifer (Adam Forthun) Burdick; son: Mike (Lori) Rieger; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by an infant brother, William; his niece, Nancy Kinzler; his parents; an infant granddaughter, Shelby Johnson; and his wife of 45 years, Lana.

Family and friends will gather Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum (Lecture Room A/B) in Bismarck, ND.

Graveside Service with military honors: Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 3 p.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to your preferred military veterans’ charity.

The service will be video recorded for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 30, 2023.