Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Chuck Burd

June 13, 1965 - July 18, 2017
Paw Paw, MI

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Visitation

Sunday, July 23, 2017
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870
Driving Directions

Service

Monday, July 24, 2017
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

SPCA of Southwest Michigan
6955 W Kl Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 344-1474
Web Site

Paw Paw High School Band Boosters
30609 Red Arrow Hwy
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5600
Web Site

Guitar Fundamentals For Student Scholarships
Mars Jamzz Music-3900 Gabrielle Lane, #9032
Aurora, IL 60598

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Print

Gregarious, smart, and fun Chuck Burd lived his life with humor and passion. With signature style and unwavering integrity, Chuck gave 100% in all his endeavors, thus encouraging others to do the same. A man who embraced life fully, Chuck cherished his family and consciously chose to be of service to his community. Often the life of the party, Chuck’s big heart naturally inspired warmth and laughter for all who were lucky to spend time with him. Revered by many, Chuck will be deeply missed.

It seems fitting that a man of such enthusiasm for life was born in the middle of one of the most highly charged decades. While the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement resulted in volatile protests, the inventions of the Super Ball and Skate Board reminded us of the importance of play. Women’s skirts grew shorter while men’s hair grew longer and The Beatles’ “Help” album dominated the airways. With much hope for the future, Thomas and Sharron (Craig) Burd, of Midland, Michigan, welcomed their son Chuck into their hearts and home on June 13, 1965.

Chuck grew up all over the eastern part of the state. Chuck’s lifelong love of sports, especially basketball, began in his earliest years. He enthusiastically collected baseball cards, followed the Dolphins, Tigers, and UCLA, and played basketball for Midland High School where his female classmates fondly dubbed his long blonde hair, “Fields of Wheat.” Camping with his cousins on Higgins Lake provided a lifetime of wonderful memories as well along with spending time at his grandparent’s home with his many cousins, aunts and uncles.

After graduating from high school in 1983, Chuck studied at UCLA where he met his dear friend, Michael Kelly while playing intramural basketball together. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, he was not able to find a job in his field. Chuck found himself employed by State Farm Insurance where he built a 28-year career.

For years, Chuck worked for State Farm in California. In May of 1995, Chuck was called to Texas to assess the damage from a large hailstorm. And fate brought an employee he didn’t know from the Chicago area, Angela. As the two worked together, sparks ignited, and they soon found themselves in a long-distance relationship. In August of that same year, Angela proposed to Chuck with a ring pop at her elementary school. A month later, Chuck proposed to Angela with a real ring. The happy couple soon relocated to Michigan and married on April 13, 1997, in Hinsdale, Illinois.

After celebrating their marriage by honeymooning on the first of many cruises, Chuck and Angela returned to Michigan and began building their life together. In November of ‘97, they purchased their home in Paw Paw where they delightfully welcomed their son Spencer in August of 1998.

Chuck’s heart’s delight was his family, and he thoroughly relished in being a father. As his role model, he turned to the wise John Wooden. Chuck built his life on Wooden’s 7 principles of life: he was true to himself, made each day a masterpiece, helped others, drank deeply from good books, made friendship a fine art, built a shelter against a rainy day, and took on the mantra that we should live each day to its fullest. He and Angela had a saying for each outing “Livin’ each day”. He had a huge sweet-tooth,and could never resist a good piece of cake. Chuck worked to build great memories by attending Detroit Tiger games, and lots of trips. Long favorites were the trips to D.C., Disneyland, Vegas, 4th of July celebrations and Parochelli reunions in Crystal Falls, and loads of family camping. Chuck especially treasured spending time with Spencer. Together the two played many video games, constructed Lego sets, watched a lot of sci-fi and Star Wars, played trivia, and even built a computer together.

For Chuck, March Madness was an official holiday! Thursday and Friday were taken off, brackets and pools made, and tons of munchies and drinks consumed. It was common to find Chuck surrounded by multiple laptops simultaneously watching all the games; a technique he also employed for the college bowl games.

Chuck’s love of sports was only rivaled by his passion for 80s music. After seeing “The Rock Show,” a Journey cover band, Chuck was totally hooked. Following the band and attending over 50 shows including two trips with them to Vegas, Chuck quickly moved from stalker-fan to friend, to family with the guys in the band and the extended families. His man crush on “Poisn’d Crue’s” lead guitarist, T.D, had similar results--the building of a powerful friendship. Both bands have acknowledged their deep sense of loss through text messages and Facebook posts, naming Chuck their “Number 1 Fan” and treasured friend. As Chuck was most often the Designated Driver for his wife and her girlfriends whom he treasured, he proudly earned the name of “Prince,” which became his official license plate.

Another passion of Chuck’s was supporting local businesses. His interests in good craft beer, especially Paw Paw Brewing Company. With his signature style, quickly embraced the folks at the brewing company as family.

Always one to seek opportunities to learn and grow, Chuck became a member of the Toastmasters. It was here that he honed his interpersonal communications, public speaking. Chuck thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and rewards of participating in this group and appreciated the friends he made along the way.

Whether hanging out under the shade of a cabana, donning a favorite hat from his collection, telling the same joke for the millionth time, joyfully playing with his dog, or petting the many cats they took in as strays and the two that Angela brought with her, or watching late night comedy, Chuck brought enthusiasm, love, and laughter to everything he did. He was a happy man who lived each day fully; and in doing so, he proved to be a powerful inspiration for others to do just the same. Chuck’s generosity was boundless, and all were welcome in his life. He had a huge heart and wanted so much for the world to be a kinder place. He had a spirit of kindness and generosity that went so far.

Without a doubt, Chuck was happiest in the good company of his family and closest friends. Spencer’s friends even enjoyed being around Chuck. Chuck exponentially grew his joy by welcoming Garrett into the family. With Angela at his side, Chuck recently took a seven-day Caribbean cruise Spencer, Garrett, and his oldest niece, Sydney. The trip was marked by sharing Spencer’s first beer, a rite of passage Chuck was proud to be a part of.

Surely the world is significantly duller without Chuck’s vibrant light and infectious laughter. May it afford comfort to know that with each savored St. James, joke told, silly prop worn, sporting event attended, and new friend welcomed we are celebrating Chuck’s bright and inspiring legacy in our own lives.

Charles Allen Burd, age 52, died unexpectedly July 18, 2017 at Bronson Hospital. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Raymond Walsh. Surviving are his wife of 20 years, Angela (Penna) Burd; son, Spencer Burd; Garrett Amstutz, whom he considered a son; mother, Sharron Walsh, father, Thomas and Susan Burd; 2 siblings: Cheri (Jim) Molnar and T.J. (LeeAnn) Burd; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation will take place. Visit with family and friends while sharing food and drinks on Sunday from 4-7PM at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40 Paw Paw (269) 657-3870 where services will be held Monday at 11am. Please visit Chuck’s personal web page at www.betzlerfuneralhome.com, where you can read his story, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to PPHS Band Boosters, Guitar Fundamentals for student scholarship or SPCA.

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