Henry "Hank" E. Burgett

Henry Elywn Burgett was born January 24, 1933 in Floydada, Texas. Shortly after, the family moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico. He had 3 sisters and his Dad always called him Sonny Boy. Years later his wife changed it to Hank ... as he is now known.

He graduated from Carlsbad High school in 1952. Served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. He was stationed in Linz, Austria and also sent to Fusen, Germany for US Army Wheel and Track Vehicle School. In 1956 his wife (unknown at that time) moved to Carlsbad and attended the same Baptist church he was going to. The Sunday school held a social for our group. Those days he was very shy and it took 4 trips around the block before he ventured in and met his future wife ... taking her home by way of A&W Root Beer. This was in January of 1957 and we married on November 8, 1957. And then begin an adventure of 64 years together. He worked in the potash mine in Carlsbad for a year or so before getting into a motor shop there as well as building his own shop at home. He built his own motor winding machine. In 1961 we took our 3 year old son and moved closer to his wife's family by way of Colorado Springs, CO ... ending up in South Dakota, Welcomed a son and daughter there. Then moved to Fort Morgan, CO where our other daughter was welcomed in 1965. When she was 3 weeks old, we moved to Fort Collins, CO and been here ever since.

He worked here in electric motor shops, including CSU and also set up his shop in our garage. When we moved to our present home, built another motor shop and went on his own in 1978. He served the people and businesses of Fort Collins many years and people were amazed at what he could do with old motors, water pumps. He kept Poudre Valley Creamery running among others. Those were the old days when people fixed things. He retired at 62.

Hank was a very talented man who didn't realize it. In Jr High he changed his Aunt's vacuum into a lawn edger ... makes us all laugh. He could carpenter ... building decks around our home, his own shop twice, a little cabin/decks on our mountain property on Storm Mountain and a garden house for his wife. Built all the garden boxes and filled them with dirt. Put up fencing. He built furniture and a cabinet for our home. He has built 4 trailers. He built his wife an electric log splitter for a Christmas gift. she still loves it. He built the chicken and turkey pens, the rabbit house, the iguana and chinchilla cages. Hauled in hay for the horses. He was always thinking of his family. He was the plumber, who installed our back entry sink and completed it with a septic tank. He repaired many things on our trucks, cars. One time installing a whole engine. He was the electrician keeping everything working. Yet he had time to attend his children's school programs. Coached Little League for Bob's early years. He was so proud of and loved each one of his children. Bought his son, Bob his first drum set and tolerated all his practicing. Hank did some fishing but mostly went deer hunting with David. He thoroughly enjoyed the trips to Alaska spending time in the mountains with family. Did some fishing for fresh salmon there. He loved taking pictures of everything. Several of them. He watched his pear tree every year for what it would produce. He found pleasure in baking banana bread. corn bread and cinnamon rolls for everyone and handed it out freely. And it was delicious and welcomed. He fixed breakfast for us and got pleasure out of providing/feeding me. After his busy working years, he was always there for each of us even more. He had a lot of respect for farmers and on Saturdays for many years watched the farm channel and all the old tractors from their beginning. His 1939 Ford 9N tractor was his pride and joy ... using it many times on our two acres and giving some of his kids rides in the bucket. Plowed lots of snow for neighbors. He was proud of and loved all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved the old trains and their history. He loved music... especially the old church hymns,

He is survived by his wife, Shirley. Son, Bob and his x-wife, Karen and their two children, Jennifer and Jason all in Fort Collins. Son, David and wife, Carolyn, his stepdaughter, Cedar and her family ,,, husband Brian and their two children, Haro and Clover all in Alaska. Daughter, Linda and husband, Terry ... his daughter, Dani and her son Austin all in Fort Collins. Daughter, Cindy and husband, John and their two children, Alex and Andy from Loveland. Andy and wife, Cherise and their two daughters, Kennedy and Emmy live in Milliken, CO. And one sister, Jane who lives in Houston, Texas. And his nieces and nephews and families.