Darryl Wayne Burch

Darryl Wayne Burch, beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, healer extraordinaire, and avid fisherman, made his final, peaceful cast into the great unknown on October 17, 2026, just nine days after celebrating his 79th birthday. We had also recently celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary on September 1, which was a precious day of happy reminiscing and enjoying a salmon dinner from Hanko’s in the comfort of our home while Darryl was on hospice. I will forever treasure those final days that we spent as a family, ‘The Burch Trio’, a trinity of father, mother and son united again for his final journey of this life. I am so delighted to report that as we had spent so much our lives together, living, working, and, yes, also fishing, he also transitioned with me by his side, and he passed as only a true warrior would, with a smile on his face.

If it could be said that we create energetic ripples which expand out into the Universe and that our contribution is forever imprinted there, then Darryl’s are so high and wide. He spent his entire adult life relieving the suffering of others, whether it was serving as a medic during the Vietnam War saving the lives of our American soldiers, or working in the Los Angeles hospital system, or practicing bodywork on the many clients that he touched over his distinguished career of 50+ years. A compassionate man who was known for turning adversity into a powerful force for good, he healed himself from injuries sustained in a three-car collision by soaking in a hot springs located in Death Valley. It was here that he started to work on other people using hands-on techniques which earned him the nickname of ‘Doc’. A truly visionary pain treatment specialist, Darryl performed profound bodywork and even developed his own unique system for treating bodily pain, helping countless individuals regain their mobility, comfort, and quality of life. It was my privilege to work alongside him and I am happy to say that I will carry on his legacy as a body worker using his highly effective techniques. Among his many other achievements, Darryl proudly earned his black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate at the age of 70, just another example of a man who exhibited such grit, courage, and fearlessness.

When he wasn’t healing others, Darryl was happiest while fishing with his family on the Columbia River. A dedicated fisherman, he spent countless hours waiting for the perfect bite and finding it, while also experiencing true peace in the quiet beauty of nature. However, Darryl was first and foremost a family man. He said that his greatest achievement or ‘magnum opus’ was his son, and his favorite daily mission was making me, his wife, laugh. His quick wit, warm smile, and audaciousness will be deeply missed but forever celebrated.

He is survived by the author, his wife Sharole, his son Branden, his two sisters Sherryl and Sharlene, his brother Duane, two other brothers, and a large community of people who walk a little lighter because of his healing hands.

Darryl was not a funeral person. He did not like to think of people mourning over him. Although there are no plans in the immediate future, this does not preclude a celebration of life which would be announced at a future date.