Bob Burger Obituary
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Robert M. "Bob" Burger, 88, of Perrysburg, died on August 21, 2014, peacefully at home under Hospice care. He was born on February 13, 1926, in Tiffin, Ohio to Roman J. and Helen L. (Schultz) Burger. Bob was a 1944 Valedictorian graduate of Calvert High School. In February 1944, while still in school, Bob proudly joined the U.S. Navy, although he remained inactive until graduation. He later served before and after WWII as a special advanced radioman, who was responsible for the messages sent to all ships in the Pacific that the war had ended with Japan. He was discharged in 1946. He later attended St. Joseph's college from 1946-1948, Detroit University from 1948-1949, and Detroit University Law School from 1949 to 1952 receiving his LLB also in 1952, before attending New York University and receiving a Master's Degree in Tax Law. Following law school Bob took up practice with Fuller, Henry, Seney and Smith in Toledo, Ohio, and later Williams, Dell and Burger in Tiffin, where he became a partner. Bob eventually opened his own practice, Robert M. Burger, Attorney, in Fostoria, Ohio, where he practiced for over fifty years, specializing in probate, real estate and tax law.
Bob was proud owner of Cedar Creek Farm, established in 1974 in Perrysburg, Ohio. He bred, raised and showed World and National Champion Morgan Horses. In the late 1980's and early 1990's he owned the top rated stallion in the Morgan breed, I Will Command. For his many years of involvement with Morgan Horses, he was inducted into the American Morgan Horse Hall of Fame in 2006 and the American Morgan Horse Breeders Hall of Fame in 2009. He also served on the board of the World Morgan Futurity and served as a legal advisor on the AMHA Grievance Committee.
Bob loved sports, starting in high school where he was the only three year letterman in both football and basketball. He was Norte Dame University's biggest fan and he never missed a game. He was an avid skier in his middle age and loved the many trips to Aspen, Snow Mass and Vail. He had a passion for travel and saw much of the world in the past few years, visiting Europe, England, Hong Kong, Turkey, Greece, the Caribbean, Alaska, and as recently as late July, he enjoyed visiting friends in Cape Cod. One of his greatest joys was the time he spent at a winter home in Key West, Florida. He loved the island and was there for over 25 years.
Bob was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Ohio Bar Association, American Morgan House Association, United States Equestrian Federation the American Horse Council, as well as a longtime member of St. Rose Parish in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Bob is survived by his life partner of 41 years, Larry Bolen; sisters, Margaret Kromer and Dorothy Frank; brother-in-law, James Crowner; sisters-in-law, Marian Burger and Marjorie Burger; very special friend, Connie Wolford; 28 nieces and nephews, and his beloved terriers, Sydney, Chloe and Sophie. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Alice Jean Crowner, Dr. Thomas Burger and John Burger; nephew, Robert Frank,; brothers-in-law, Ottie Frank and Bernard Kromer.
Friends will be received on Monday, August 25, 2014, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary St., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 (419-874-3133) where a scripture service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 26 at 9:45 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 East Front St., Perrysburg. We will meet for burial on Wednesday, August, 27 in Tiffin, Ohio at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery (South Washington St. and St. Francis Ave., Tiffin, Ohio 44883) with burial time to be announced during visitation and mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Senior Independence Hospice, St. Rose Catholic Church, scholarship fund and Calvert High School scholarship fund. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Senior Independence Hospice, especially to nurse, Kris Romp. Condolences may be made to the family at www.witzlershank.com.
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