1922
Robert
2015
Robert H. Burgan
March 25, 1922 — May 15, 2015
Harlingen, TX:
Robert Horace Burgan passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015, in Harlingen, Texas, at the age of 93. Bob was the son of Horace J. and M. Ruth Dorsett Burgan and was born on March 25, 1922, in Long Pine, Nebraska. The family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, when he was five years old. He completed his elementary through high school education in Norfolk. After high school, Bob went to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. During his sophomore year he entered training in the United States Naval Air Force. He was granted his wings and gained his rank as an ensign in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1944. He remained in the Naval Air Force until the end of the war in 1945. He then returned to Iowa State to earn his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1948. During that same year he married Margaret Ogilvy, who was an instructor in the Department of Child Development at Iowa State.
After graduation he worked for Dexter Company in Fairfield, Iowa. They were developing a new automatic washing machine. At this time, he also earned his accreditation as a Professional Engineer. After Dexter was merged with Philco Company in the late fifties he worked for Philco in Nashville, Tennessee. In the sixties he joined the Bourns Company in Ames, Iowa, to spearhead the development of a premature infant resuscitator from a prototype developed by a group of doctors and bio-engineers to a production stage. After this project was completed and was moved to California, he joined the Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison, Iowa. He later joined the J.I. Case Company, who produced crawler tractors and earth moving equipment, in Bettendorf, Iowa. He remained with them until his retirement in 1986. Professionally, he was an active member of the Iowa Engineering Society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the American Society for Quality Control.
Throughout his life, Bob was interested in scouting. He was an Eagle Scout and as an adult, became a member of the Order of the Arrow. This was part of his interest in outdoor activities. He was a Red Cross water instructor, certified scuba diver and avid canoeist and camper. The Lion’s Club was also one of his lifelong interests, being an active member for over fifty years. Bob served as President of the Lion’s Club Chapter in Fairfield, Iowa, was honored as Lion of the Year, and received the President’s Award for outstanding service.
Bob had always been interested in working with his hands. At ten, he made a model airplane that won a prize at the state fair. At fifteen, he designed and cast parts to make a small engine. Later in life he started carving horses and was successful doing it. One of his horses won first place at a wood working competition in Austin, Texas, and was on display at the capitol building.
While in naval air force training, he often flew over the Rio Grande Valley and thought that it might be a good place to retire. He and Margaret commuted from Iowa to the Valley and after four winters they made the decision to make Sunshine Country Club Estates in Harlingen their home. While living in Harlingen, Bob enjoyed oil painting and clay sculptures. He and Margaret were members of the First Methodist Church in Harlingen.
Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret, of 67 years; his brother, Edward Burgan of Toronto, Canada; his two sons, David Lee Burgan (Bonnie) of Traverse City, Michigan and Paul Douglas Burgan (Lisa) of Houston, Texas; his five grandchildren, Laura Burgan Paterson (Andy) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Brian James Burgan (Rochelle) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Andrea Burgan O’Connor (John) of Troy, Michigan; Ross Ogilvy Burgan of Corpus Christi, Texas; and David Smyth Burgan of Houston, Texas; and two great grandchildren, Ashley Margaret Paterson and Kailey Ruth Paterson of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bob was preceded in death by his brother, William (Bill) Burgan of Red Oak, Iowa.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Harlingen at Golden Palms Retirement Center in the Texas Room on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend David Mann officiating.
Memorial contributions in honor of Bob can be donated to the Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 2424, Harlingen, Texas 78551.
Robert Horace Burgan passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015, in Harlingen, Texas, at the age of 93. Bob was the son of Horace J. and M. Ruth Dorsett Burgan and was born on March 25, 1922, in Long Pine, Nebraska. The family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, when he was five years old. He completed his elementary through high school education in Norfolk. After high school, Bob went to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. During his sophomore year he entered training in the United States Naval Air Force. He was granted his wings and gained his rank as an ensign in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1944. He remained in the Naval Air Force until the end of the war in 1945. He then returned to Iowa State to earn his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1948. During that same year he married Margaret Ogilvy, who was an instructor in the Department of Child Development at Iowa State.
After graduation he worked for Dexter Company in Fairfield, Iowa. They were developing a new automatic washing machine. At this time, he also earned his accreditation as a Professional Engineer. After Dexter was merged with Philco Company in the late fifties he worked for Philco in Nashville, Tennessee. In the sixties he joined the Bourns Company in Ames, Iowa, to spearhead the development of a premature infant resuscitator from a prototype developed by a group of doctors and bio-engineers to a production stage. After this project was completed and was moved to California, he joined the Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison, Iowa. He later joined the J.I. Case Company, who produced crawler tractors and earth moving equipment, in Bettendorf, Iowa. He remained with them until his retirement in 1986. Professionally, he was an active member of the Iowa Engineering Society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the American Society for Quality Control.
Throughout his life, Bob was interested in scouting. He was an Eagle Scout and as an adult, became a member of the Order of the Arrow. This was part of his interest in outdoor activities. He was a Red Cross water instructor, certified scuba diver and avid canoeist and camper. The Lion’s Club was also one of his lifelong interests, being an active member for over fifty years. Bob served as President of the Lion’s Club Chapter in Fairfield, Iowa, was honored as Lion of the Year, and received the President’s Award for outstanding service.
Bob had always been interested in working with his hands. At ten, he made a model airplane that won a prize at the state fair. At fifteen, he designed and cast parts to make a small engine. Later in life he started carving horses and was successful doing it. One of his horses won first place at a wood working competition in Austin, Texas, and was on display at the capitol building.
While in naval air force training, he often flew over the Rio Grande Valley and thought that it might be a good place to retire. He and Margaret commuted from Iowa to the Valley and after four winters they made the decision to make Sunshine Country Club Estates in Harlingen their home. While living in Harlingen, Bob enjoyed oil painting and clay sculptures. He and Margaret were members of the First Methodist Church in Harlingen.
Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret, of 67 years; his brother, Edward Burgan of Toronto, Canada; his two sons, David Lee Burgan (Bonnie) of Traverse City, Michigan and Paul Douglas Burgan (Lisa) of Houston, Texas; his five grandchildren, Laura Burgan Paterson (Andy) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Brian James Burgan (Rochelle) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Andrea Burgan O’Connor (John) of Troy, Michigan; Ross Ogilvy Burgan of Corpus Christi, Texas; and David Smyth Burgan of Houston, Texas; and two great grandchildren, Ashley Margaret Paterson and Kailey Ruth Paterson of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bob was preceded in death by his brother, William (Bill) Burgan of Red Oak, Iowa.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Harlingen at Golden Palms Retirement Center in the Texas Room on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend David Mann officiating.
Memorial contributions in honor of Bob can be donated to the Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 2424, Harlingen, Texas 78551.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert H. Burgan, please visit our flower store.