Brunswick- Richard D. Burhans, 91, a long time resident of Eagle Mills, died peacefully Sunday, May 2, 2021 at Samaritan Hospital following a short illness.
Born in Poughkeepsie, June 8, 1929, Mr. Burhans was the son of the late Dayton and Mabel (Knapp) Burhans and for over 57 years the devoted husband of Alice (Atherton) Burhans. The couple were married March 24, 1951.
Mr. Burhans was a graduate of Pine Plains High School and the former New Paltz Teachers College (SUNY New Paltz) where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Education. While working as an Elementary Teacher, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the former Albany State College (SUNY Albany) when the NYS Education Department changed the credentials for teachers and required a Masters Degree to maintain teaching certification.
After more than 40 years of teaching he retired from the North Colonie Central School District in the 1990’s.
Throughout his life he enjoyed music and played the organ for several area churches during their Sunday and worship services for more than 75 years. He enjoyed several hobbies including sailing, riding his motorcycle and most recently driving his Fiat 500 Cabriolet.
Mr. Burhans is survived by four children, Derek Burhans, Jan Burhans, Nicolas Burhans and Rebecca Boomhower and seven grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a son, the late Pieter D. Burhans in 2019.
At Mr. Burhans request there will be no public calling or funeral services.
Memorial contributions if desired, may be made to Heifer International, a global nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustainable values based holistic community development, in memory of Richard D. Burhans.
Born in Poughkeepsie, June 8, 1929, Mr. Burhans was the son of the late Dayton and Mabel (Knapp) Burhans and for over 57 years the devoted husband of Alice (Atherton) Burhans. The couple were married March 24, 1951.
Mr. Burhans was a graduate of Pine Plains High School and the former New Paltz Teachers College (SUNY New Paltz) where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Education. While working as an Elementary Teacher, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the former Albany State College (SUNY Albany) when the NYS Education Department changed the credentials for teachers and required a Masters Degree to maintain teaching certification.
After more than 40 years of teaching he retired from the North Colonie Central School District in the 1990’s.
Throughout his life he enjoyed music and played the organ for several area churches during their Sunday and worship services for more than 75 years. He enjoyed several hobbies including sailing, riding his motorcycle and most recently driving his Fiat 500 Cabriolet.
Mr. Burhans is survived by four children, Derek Burhans, Jan Burhans, Nicolas Burhans and Rebecca Boomhower and seven grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a son, the late Pieter D. Burhans in 2019.
At Mr. Burhans request there will be no public calling or funeral services.
Memorial contributions if desired, may be made to Heifer International, a global nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustainable values based holistic community development, in memory of Richard D. Burhans.