Danville- Richard "Dick" E. Burwell, D.V.M., 82, of Danville, died Tuesday evening, November 18, 2008, at the home of his son Dan in the presence of his three children.
Dick fought a 6 year battle with colon cancer and spent the past 6 months under Medcentarl's Hospice care.
He was born December 15, 1925 in Sunbury as the eldest son of the late Dale and Thelma (Schirtzinger) Burwell. He graduated from Big Walnut High School and The Ohio State University. He served in the United States Navy after college, and upon retiring, taught vocational agriculture at Versailles High School, where he met and married Wanda Kinney. After 5 attempts of applying to OSU's Veterinary school, Dick "wore them down" and was finally accepted. He practiced his profession in Danville for some 40 years before retiring to the golf course, mostly Apple Valley, where his wife allowed him to play 3 or 4 times a week with some very special friends. He was a much better veterinarian than golfer, although he somehow managed a hole-in-one in Florida in his later years.
Dick was an extremely humble yet gregarious gentleman. He could go to a farm and attend to a job that should take 30 minutes, and come home hours later because he needed to tell most of his clients some of his stories. He actually talked to a wrong number once for 20 minutes!
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Wanda, who suddenly died October 12, 2007 after she fell at home.
Dick is survived by his eldest son; Dr. Dan Burwell of Mansfield, his wife Kelly, and their 3 children; Michelle, Kathryn, and Michael, a daughter; Betsy Burwell of Danville, and her son Louis, and his youngest son; Tom Burwell of Columbus, a brother; Dr. Robert Burwell of Sunbury, his wife Joann, and their 4 girls; Diane, Pam, Sharma, and Bonnie, brothers and sisters-in-law; Dr. Andre Swiger and Mary Belle Swiger of Blacksburg, VA, and their 3 boys; Eliot, Kurt, and Michael and children, and Jack and Pat Kinney of Medina, and their girls; Jennifer and Sarah.
Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until noon on Saturday November 29, 2008, at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville. A private service memorializing both Dick and Wanda will follow, led by the Rev. David Sipes.
Memorial contributions can be made to MedCentral Hospice, or to the Medcentral College of Nursing/ Building Project; 335 Glessner Ave., Mansfield 44903.
