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Robert Charles Burdick, age 66, of 626 Fisher Street, Marquette, entered eternal life Sunday morning, September 18, 2011, in the Hospice Suite located at Marquette General Hospital, in the loving, comforting care of his family and Lake Superior Hospice.

Born June 16, 1945 in Marquette, the tenth of fourteen children born to Louis and Clarissa (Pringle) Burdick, Bobby was a lifelong resident of Marquette. Almost from the beginning he could be classified as "a pistol" or "live-wire" - a real character. Slight of build, he often used his physical characteristics to his advantage, especially when evoking sympathy from his parents, particularly his mother. As a child, he was given the nickname "the Henchman" by his siblings for his knack of "squealing" on them and getting them in trouble, when he, in fact, was usually the instigator. Again, he was able to solicit the sympathy of his mother. The family dog, Smokey, was his constant companion and when lost, Smokey, more than once, led Mrs. Burdick to where her son was located. Bobby was always fast on his feet, always busy, and always doing something. More than once, his mother rescued him from adventures of being lost to getting him off the roof where he was prancing without any attire. His childhood was interesting, to say the least. Bobby graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1966 and went to work at Northern Michigan University in their food service department, later moving to Detroit for five years where he was employed with Continental Bakery. He returned to NMU and began what would become a 27 1/2 year employment as a custodian. Even as a youth, Bobby loved playing cards and weekly card games with the whole family were delightful events. At first, the games involving parents, aunts, and uncles were serious and studied. Later games with siblings, nieces, and nephews, were more spontaneous and Bobby was noted for guarding the pot to make sure no one cheated. He watched the treasury, but was not above making up new rules as he saw fit. The family card games continue to this day as a source of enjoyment for the whole Burdick clan and friends. Bobby's other interests centered on watching stock car racing and hockey games, and being a very enthusiastic Packer fan, making the watching of a Packer game a family event. Perhaps one of his best qualities was his sense of humor and love for others. He loved to joke around, but could always be counted on to help anyone who needed assistance. He was generous with his time and cared deeply for his family and friends. Bobby was great on his feet, loved to dance, roller-skate, dance on roller skates, and be the center of attention, at few times dancing on tables at local watering holes. He enjoyed woodworking and refinishing old pieces of furniture and made toy boxes for his grandchildren. A lifelong character, Bobby possessed a heart of gold, larger than himself, which he shared with others. He loved children, Christmas, and possessed his own secret recipe for the best chocolate chip cookies ever.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Joanne A. (Novotny), whom he married on his birthday, June 16, 1995; his sons, Andrew Burdick at home, Robert (Tammy) Burdick of Neenah, WI, and William (Angie) Burdick of Baraboo, WI; his grandchildren, William, Cassidy, and Hailee Burdick; great-grandson, Carsyn; his sisters, Sandra (Joe) Bourgeois of Rapid River, Marilee Burdick of Negaunee, Carol Pazolt of Kingman, AZ, Gayle (Tom) Cuff of Greenbrier, TN, and Betty (Jeff) Leeman of Gwinn; brothers, Louis (Joann) Burdick Jr of Dearborn Heights, Milt (Jean) Burdick of Brea, CA, James (Sharon) Burdick of Ishpeming, Thomas (Carol) Burdick of Reading, Donald Burdick and Roger (Roberta) Burdick of Marquette; brothers-in-law, James Mahn and Ronald Specker of Marquette; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and best friend, Al Johnson of Marquette. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Linnea Burdick; and sisters, Barbara Mahn and Sharron Burdick.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church on Thursday, September 22, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Nicholas Thompson as celebrant. Following mass, the family will greet relatives and friends in the Parish Center where the sharing of memories and a reception will take place. Entombment will be made in the Northland Chapel Gardens Mausoleum.

The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family and condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderfuneralhome.com.