Donald Marcus Burch Obituary
Donald (Don) Burch of Albany passed away at 100 years of age—just shy of reaching 101—with a witty and well-seasoned sense of humor.
The son of Samuel J. and Cora (Uhrhammer) Burch, he was born in Albany and grew up on a farm in the Riverside area. As a young sprout himself, he started farming with his father and established his roots in the rich soil of the Willamette Valley for the rest of his life.
Don married Wilma Bell on August 29, 1946 and shared a loving home until her passing. Although they had no children, Don contributed to the nurturing of their nieces and nephews as his own. He was a true godfather with compassionate caring for family.
Don purchased property in Airlie previously used as part of Camp Adair military training and established a farm with help from the family to construct buildings and operate the farm. This continued throughout his farming career with support from many nephews eager to assist their beloved uncle. His passion for farming expanded when he started the American Seed Company in Cottonwoods near Lebanon. The passion drove his innovation in farming practices and the design of unique farming equipment. He had a knack for taking apart and fixing complex machinery and putting it back together. If he was not on a tractor in the field, he was in the barn tinkering with machinery.
Don often reflected on the farming practice changes experienced since he began working alongside his father in the 1930s—from guiding a horse-drawn plow to riding a steel-wheeled tractor until the invention of rubber wheels. From his perspective, the integration of computerized technology in farm equipment would not have been much fun with which to tinker.
Don was a member of the Northwest Steelheaders and Albany Elks Lodge. He was an avid fisherman and hunter with a love for the outdoors. He established a family duck hunting pond on the farm property that has continued throughout. He held fond memories of the outings with family and friends, as much as holding bragging rights for catching the biggest fish or elk.
Don enjoyed travelling and taking road trips with family. He loved playing cards —sharing a weekly standing pinochle night with family and friends right up to two weeks prior to his death.
His other special memories included making early morning coffee rounds with local farmers and small business owners of grass seed, farm equipment and automotive shops who grew to become good friends over the years. The camaraderie shared during those conversations meant a great deal to him.
Don will be dearly missed by his sister, Kathryn Westling and husband Walter, sister in law Patricia Burch along with many nieces and nephews and their families. His life no doubt touched many friends who share in our grief of his passing. He had a warm heart and genuine easy-going personality. His integrity, respect for others and work ethic were admirable and evident to all who knew him. He leaves big boots for our family to fill when it comes to being a good human being.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and brothers, Sam and Robert; and sisters, Carolyn DeLair and Helen Shaw.
Viewing is available at Fisher Funeral Home in Albany, OR on Thursday May 30 , 2024 from 11 am to 1 pm.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mennonite Home Lakeside Event Center in Albany, OR on Friday May 31, 2024 at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Future Farmers of America (FFA). This will help us honor his legacy in farming and hope to inspire younger farmers and innovation. Online at FFA.org/donate or through check mailed to National FFA Foundation at 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46278.
