Richard "Dick" Burkes

Richard “Dick” Burkes died on November 18th, 2022 in the hospital in Ukiah, CA from a short sudden illness at the age of 84.   He was born in San Jose, CA to Jerold “Jerry” Burkes and Bernice Irene Raven Burkes.

            As a young boy he experienced the old west, spending summers on his grandparent’s ranch with no running water or electricity to the west of Dos Palos. His grandfather, Hans Raven, had served as a bodyguard for the famed Cattle King of California, Henry Miller, acquiring the property through this association.  By the age of 6 Dick rode out with the cowhands, and remembered how his mount, Old Dandy, protected him from the milling cattle after a fall from his horse.  Most memorable was his wild ride to get medical help when he got bit by a rattlesnake out on the range.  He first held on behind his grandpa as the horse raced back to the ranch house, and then the mad dash by car to town.  (His grandpa fretting along the way about Grandma’s response).  Summer trips to the ranch eventually gave way to Dick’s boyhood interest to stay home for neighborhood adventures and sports, especially with his buddy Mike Jones.  As a young man he also loved to dance, being taught by his sister Beverly who was five years older and wanted a dance partner.  She even taught him to tap dance.  From little league on, Dick especially loved baseball, eventually playing varsity for College of the Pacific, now University of the Pacific.  Dick excelled in his studies as well as sports, and very much enjoyed the social scene at COP.  He became president of his fraternity, Omega Phi Alpha (DU), and married the Omega Phi Girl, Frances ”Fran” Easterbrook their senior year in December of 1959.  

            With major ambitions in the business world, Dick took employment with Fiberboard, a packaging/container company that grew and morphed several times.  Dick took on upper management responsibilities, eventually becoming Area Vice President for the West Coast.  Moves often came with promotions, so his family, which now included two sons, Dean and Brian, found homes in Stockton, then San Jose, then Illinois and then back to California in Villa Park.   When he wasn’t working Dick enjoyed golf, bird hunting and fishing.

 Upon retirement, Dick and Fran moved up to property in Redwood Valley, CA to connect with Fran’s family and enjoy a more rural lifestyle.  Dick’s work ethic often found him doing chores and driving his lawn mower.  New friendships were developed through volunteer work at Plowshares and visits to the health club.  Dick and Fran made many lifetime friends at a beach community in Baja California just south of San Felipe.  They would stay for months at a time over many years in retirement.  They explored many outlying areas in Baja and Northern Mexico, enjoyed the crafts, the cultures and visited the whales.   Their love for travel took them abroad to visit Australia, New Zealand, China, Tibet, The British Isles, The Alps, Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica and Panama.  Dick also enjoyed watching local sports, televised games, bowling and fishing in his retirement years.  He was particularly proud to pass along news of his grandchildren’s sports, activities and accomplishments.

Dick leaves behind his wife, Fran, his two sons, Dean (Paula), Brian (Jody), and four grandchildren, Jordan, Adam, Rachel and Sarah and will be deeply missed by many. 

The family appreciates Holy Spirit Care Home for taking such good care of Dick the last couple of years.