Willard Theodore Burbach

Willard Theodore Burbach, 82 years old, of Greeley, Colorado, passed away on February 11th, 2023 after a long battle with dementia. Burbach was raised on the eastern plains of Colorado near Grover, and graduated from high school in Evans, Colorado.

He started his adult life establishing his career as a respected cattle buyer in Northern Colorado, even to own his personal order buying company, Burbach Cattle. While pursuing his career, he was also very successful as a Professional Rodeo Cowboy and a Thoroughbred Racehorse Breeder in Colorado. He won many All-Around Cowboy titles at the Greeley Stampede, North Platte, NE, Gordon, NE and Mountain States Circuit Finals. He also was one placing short of making the National Finals Rodeo in the Steer Wrestling and the Bareback Riding, and represented the American Cowboy on a rodeo exhibition to Argentina.

Once he retired from rodeo, he continued his success at the race track. Burbach was awarded the Colorado Thoroughbred Breeder of the year a total of 17 times throughout his career racing horses, and his stallions and mares are still respected at the track today. Burbach’s character of hard work, integrity, and generosity will be remembered by everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Pete and Alma Burbach, and his siblings, Joe Burbach and Joan Bartholomew.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene Burbach; daughters, Teresa (Robert) Jett, Kimberli (Jacy) Dickens; grandchildren, R.W. Jett, Clark Jett, and Sara (A.J.) Derr, and his sister, Doris Kindvall.

A Memorial service will be held at the Producers Livestock Marketing Association, 711 Ost., Greeley, Colorado on June 3rd at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations and contributions can be sent to Weld County Livestock Assoc., ℅ Jim Magnuson, 38093 CR 33, Eaton, CO 80615 or Bristol Hospice, 3770 Puritan Way E, Frederick, CO 80516.