Robert Joe Burchardt

Robert Joe Burchardt, 77, of Stillwater, peacefully passed from this life on May 3, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Services have been entrusted to the care of the Palmer Marler Funeral Home and will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Hilltop Country Church in Morrison, OK.
Robert was born on May 3, 1934 in rural Kingfisher County to Herman and Clora Burchardt. He was raised and graduated from high school in Hobbs, NM. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy. The Navy reassigned Bob to Corpus Christi, TX, where he met the love of his life and future wife Mary Lee, on a blind date.Bob and Mary Lee were married on March 1, 1957.
In 1958 Bob relocated to Newport, RI for officer training school. His first station of duty was a brief time in Norfolk, VA. In 1961, the Burchardts were relocated to Southern California. In 1968, Bob and Mary Lee added joy to their lives by adopting their daughter, Beth. A few months later, Mr. Burchardt retired from the US Navy and relocated to Tulsa, OK to accept a position as an aviation navigator with McDonnell-Douglas. Bob worked for McDonnell-Douglas until health problems brought about his retirement in 1981. Bob and Mary Lee enjoyed several years of retirement in Tulsa, eventually moving back to Hobbs, NM for a brief period and finally coming back to Crescent, OK, where he resided from 1991 to 1998. In 1998, Bob and Mary Lee settled in Stillwater, where Bob lived until his passing.
Robert Joe Burchardt was a man who enjoyed life. He was a member of the Ham Radio Club and a lifetime member of the NRA. In his spare time, he liked to shoot skeet, practice his marksmanship, go fishing, and fly both airplanes and helicopters. There was nothing Bob enjoyed more in life than spending time with his grandson Chris.
Although he faced years of medical challenges, he never lost his passion for life, his love for his family, or his wonderfully unique sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Lee of the home. A daughter, Beth King and husband Allen, of Cleveland, OK. Three grandchildren: Chris King and Breawna King, of Cleveland, OK and Carley King Elledge and husband Lucas, of Lawton, OK. A niece, Clara Orr and nephew Lynn Standage. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Merle Burchardt.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bobs honor to the American Kidney Fund, in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N.Washington Stillwater, OK 74075.