Richard (Dick) Hollier Burgess, 73, of Waddell AZ passed away Monday, June 4, 2018 at Banner University Hospital. He was born October 17, 1944 to Daniel Wheeler and Mary Rachael (Armstrong) Burgess in Columbia, Missouri. On August 23, 1969 he married Susanne Evelyn Baldrige in Coldwater, Michigan.
Dick is survived by his wife, Susanne, and 7 First Cousins; Wayne Thies, Donna (Thies) Bassett, John Burgess, Nancy Burgess, Shirley (Anderson) Schmitt, Tom Anderson and Ted Anderson. Papa Dick is also survived by Tad & Tina Ulman and their children; Susanne, Rebecca, John, Katarina, and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, William Franklin Burgess and Cousin Jerry Thies.
Dick and his parents moved to Phoenix, Arizona at the start of his Freshman year at Washington High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Arizona, majoring in Math & Physics. During his college years he was active in the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity and a charter member of the University of Arizona Adventure Club Grotto of the National Speleological Society.
Dick was employed for 31 years by the City of Phoenix; a number of years as head of System Software for the Phoenix Police Department. He and his wife Sue were breeders of English Springer Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels. They have had a number of top winning dogs and enjoyed dogs shows and the dog show family around the United States. Dick was active in Sahuaro State Kennel Club holding a number of positions including President. He was also a member of the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Assn, the Arizona Sporting Dog Association, the Southwest Welsh Springer Club, and the Stewards Club of Arizona.
Dick was a member of All Saints Episcopal where services will be held Friday, June 8, 2018.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the English Springer Spaniel Foundation, http://englishspringerfoundation.org/
