Robert Lee Burgett

Bob was born October 17, 1948, to Kenneth and Arlene (Preston) Burgett in Battle Creek, Michigan. Bob grew up and lived in the Athens/Union City area his whole life. He graduated in 1966 from Athens High School where he was a multi-sport Varsity athlete. Shortly after high school Bob enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a damage control specialist on the U.S.S New and U.S.S Cone naval destroyers during the Vietnam War from 1967-1969. Bob traveled the world during his time in the service and met lifelong friends whom he continued to be in touch with until the end of his life. On August 8, 1970, Bob married the love of his life, Linda Edgell, at the Union City United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Philip Brown. Bob worked various jobs during his youth and early adulthood. He grew up and worked on his family's farm in Athens before becoming an HVAC technician for Johnson Controls, where he would spend the next 20+ years, retiring in 2009. After a short time in retirement, Bob decided he couldn't take it any longer and began working at the Branch Area Career Center as a HVAC technician, where he would spend the next 10 years before retiring again to settle down and enjoy his grandkids. Bob, above all, enjoyed making everyone laugh at his funniest joke of the month, even if you'd heard it 100 times before. He was beloved by his family, especially his 15 grandkids. He enjoyed boating on Union Lake, random roads trips with Linda, helping people in need (sometimes too much) and mowing everyone's lawn around his home on Union Lake. He loved his dogs, his short stint as the local sensation "Cob Man Bob", and baking weird types of food. His passion was telling DAD JOKES to everyone. Bob loved life, loved his family, and loved his community. He spent 30 years on the Sherwood Township Board as a Trustee, 8 years as the Chaplain for American Legion Post #196, and he was a lifelong member of the Crossroads Bible Church, where he taught Sunday School and later taught a senior citizens class.