Date Of Birth: September 4, 2007
Date Of Death: March 12, 2007
Dr. Rolla D. Burghard, 90, Indianapolis, passed away March 12, 2007. He was born September 4, 1916. He was and Eagle Scout, and a graduate of Butler University and Indiana University School of Medicine. He served in the Navy as a medical officer in WWII, went on to a career as a family physician form 1947 to 1966, and then was an emergency room physician at Community Hospital East for 1966 until the mid-eighties. He retired as the founding director of Community Hospital MedCheck. Dr. Burghard is survived by his wife, Bertha M. Burghard; his three daughters, Deanna Hoskins (James), Karen Sue Duncan (Ronald), and Elizabeth Chisholm (Douglas); nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Lee Craigle Burghard, and his three sisters. Visitation will be Friday, March 16 from 4 to 7 pm in Harry Moore Family Mortuary, 8151 Allisonville Rd, with a Masonic Service starting at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 17 at 11 a.m. in the chapel with internment to follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Kent Rollison says
Dr. B is a legend to his Lambda Chi Alpha brothers at Butler. He will always be remembered and missed.
Lori Bowman says
While working at Westminster Village North right before the Christmas holiday, I saw a package that needed to be delivered to Dr. Burghard’s room in the Health Center. I delivered the large box to Dr. Burghard and asked if he would like some help opening the package. Dr. Burghard replied “yes” and to his surprise, the box was full of many beautiful “sweet treats” to brighten his holiday. I had been tired and ready to rush home to my family that day To get ready for the holiday but after meeting Dr. Burghard and enjoying the happiness the package brought him, it made my Christmas holiday special this past year. I am sorry you have lost your loved one. I was very lucky to have met such a nice man and hear a little story about his family that day. He also shared a piece of his candy with me. God Bless you all at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Lori Bowman
Brenda Secrest says
To the family of Dr. B – I offer my deepest sympathy. I worked with him at Community East in 1970-1973 in the business office. He was remarkable – so professional and wise – he most certainly saved lives. My favorite Dr B. moment – the ER was packed with many waiting. A man walked up to us to register to be seen in the ER – and Dr. B was there. The man said, “I think I have a cold”. Dr. B said “Come back when you’re sure”. We loved him – God bless you all.
Gerald J Kurlander MD says
A fine physician with a great sense of humor. I’ll miss him as will just about everyone else who knew him.
The LoRusso Family says
Bertha,
We were so sorry to hear about Rolla. He was very special to our family. We feel very lucky to have been neighbors to you both. We will always remember Rollie out there working in the yard and even coming over to help us out with various projects. The painted pottery and refinished furniture projects in the garage always amazed us. He was truly an inspiration. We will miss him very much.
All of our love,
Katy, Frank, Maddy (his birthday buddy), Frankie and Molly
Mary Duncan says
Dr.”B” I will always remember you as a great emergency room physician. Your quit wit,sharp mind,energy,jokes and wonderful sense of humor with a warm-friendly smile broke the tension in a very stressful Er many days. I learned more from you about emergency medicine than any text book in nursing that I ever studied. You treated all of your patients with great compassion and concern and saved many lives. After the arrival of Dr “B” they broke the mold. These are times that I will always cherish. God bless you, Mary Duncan,RN
Stephen Darbro says
I will miss your laugh, your demeanor, your honesty. When you were around, Rolla, conversation was never wanting or slow. We shared the same birthday and the same Alma Mater. I can only hope that I will share in leading as rich and meaningful a life as you had. You brought my Grandmother and my family much joy. Cheers, old chum. I hope that, for you, wherever you are, the good times are just beginning and the spirits and cigars are plenty.
Sara E Darbro says
Grandpa, I love you. With all your dirty jokes, times of uproarious laughter, abundance of delightful stories, and tweetie imitaions surely the world could not be better blessed than with a man such as yourself to bring, as you have, joy and happiness into it. I love you, Grandpa.
Elizabeth Darbro says
Rollie–I’ll miss you, thank you for taking such good care of my mother. Bringing her, and all of us, so much joy and laughter, but also wisdom and knowledge. I have the picture Margaret took of you on my phone. It is but a tiny remembrance of you….you who defies measurement.
Tim Stapleton says
Deanna Hoskins and Family;
Sorry to hear of your loss. I was a former neighboor many years ago at 67th. and Caroline St. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim Stapleton
Maddie Rhinesmith says
Paga,
I miss you soooo very much! I will always remember our springbreaks together in Alabama. Your jokes and songs will always be remembered. You were a great man and a FANTASTIC great-grandfather! You will always be loved and remembered! I love you very very much! I miss you!
Love,
Maddie R.
Shirley and Paul Meister says
What good memories we have of both Rolla and Bertha, especially during the years when Rolla sang with the Indianapolis Maennerchor with Paul. There are countless reasons why Rolla will be missed by friends and family, but one of the best is his quick and unusual sense of humor. He was a good doctor, a gentleman, and a gentle man in all the ways that counted. Shirley will best remember him for this little poem about human nature, which we think he said came from a grandfather–only his grandfather shared in in German:
As a rule, man’s a fool.
When it’s hot, he wants it cool.
When it’s cold, he wants it hot.
Always wanting what is not!
Bertha, we are so sorry we cannot be with you now. Paul had surgery on his knee on March 1 after a fall on “black ice” and now he’s having complications. He can’t get out, and I stay near him. I know you’ll understand. Perhaps in the not too distant future we can get-together again.
Blessings, peace, and love,
Shirley and Paul
David Trusty says
Dear Deanna & Family
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your daddy this past week. Your daddy was a neat guy and I have many memories of the times we were able to spend together, especially at the lake ( he’s the one who taught me to water ski). You’re dad was always fun to be around, he had such a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by many, many people and I am among them. I didn’t get to see him very often but when I did it was always a pleasure. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to be there for the services but I WILL be thinking of you and will remember you in our prayers. YOUR DAD WAS A GREAT ONE AND WILL BE MISSED. Thanks Doc, for the memories…
Love, David & Melinda Trusty
Margaret Darbro says
Grandpa, you were one in a million. I miss you already – your laugh, your smile, your passion for life. Please look out for Aunt Laura. With love,
Dave Arland says
Rolla shared his passion for living with hundreds of brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha at Butler, personally leading a fundraising campaign in the 60’s that doubled the size of our Sunset Avenue chapter house. We’ll miss his dirty jokes, too (“be careful where you dip your wick!”)and thank Brother Burghard for his long service to our fraternity. His legacy lives on!
Nona Dalton says
I first met Rolla and Bertha while working at Community Hospitals Foundation at the “retired physician” lunches. What great memories of them — Rolla telling his off-color jokes and Bertha blushing! I often looked at them and prayed that my husband and I will be as happy as they were in our retirement years. Bertha, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Anna Duncan Forest and Garret Ingram says
When I think of Paga, I’ll remember limericks, monkey faces, and his great laugh. I’m so sorry he never got to meet Garret, his 17th great-grandchild, but I’m glad I was able to visit with him this past February. We will miss him.
Dan Jennifer Liam Burghard Riley Malcolm Duncan says
Whenever we remember Paga, smiles will come to our faces. If only we all could delight in humor the way that he did ~ and continually seek it out. Our memories of him will always be fun, warm, and grandfatherly.
Jim and Joann Riley says
To Karen, Ron and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of
your father and grandfather. Our
hearts and thoughts are with you.
We loved being around your
“Paga” he was always so much fun
and such a delight to the spirit.
Our love goes out to you. I am
sorry we cannot be with you at this
time.
Linda K WattsRN says
Dr. B served as my mentor; thanks to him, I decided to become an Rn back in the 70s. Never will I forget the day that he came to visit me as I worked in ICU. Lamenting that sometimes I just had to cry, he reassured me that if I ever stopped, then I must leave nursing. Since then, I have passed those words of wisdom to many new nurses…….thus, his legacy lives on. Just one of many, I thank Dr. B for making a major difference in my life.
Jerry Williams says
Rollie was a good neighbor and one of my best friends ealrier in my life. He was always very caring to me and my family. He will be missed by all of us.
Judy Gardner says
Dr B was my doctor when I was a very young child. I will always remember his smiles and and how he dealt with me. I’ll be 53 this year, that should speak about his character and how he will always be in my mind. Great people will always be remembered!
Charlie and Carole Montemayor says
Rollie, you will be missed by all who knew you and shared your love of life. Whenever Carole and I visited you and Bertha you were always great fun snd a joy to be with. What great stories you told. Bertha, thank you for the love and care you gave to Rollie.
Jane and Joseph Gallant says
We are so pleased that we had the opportunity to know Rollie, even briefly. He was a special and lively man who clearly had much to offer the lives that passed through his. Our condolences to Rollie’s family as well as to Bertha and her family. From our experience, Rollie was well loved and appreciated by all who knew him.
Lorraine Claybrooke says
From 1950 until 1960 you delivered my five children and gave our family, including my father, my husband and myself your unselfish attention whenever we needed you. Rest in peace, Dr. B. You were one in a million!
Neal Shelley says
Rolla held a special place in my heart. I cannot remember a time when I did not know him. I have vivid memories of fishing at their lake house and summer days at our pool. He and the rest of the family made those around them enjoy life more. Rolla was especially supportive when I needed it the most and letters from him while I was on oversea assignments were always a pleasure to receive. He was a man of humor and down to earth, but a gentleman always. He had a long, good life and those who knew him are better for his having been here. I will miss him and I will remember him always.
Neal
Jody Orosz says
We have lost a giant! Dr. Burghard was our family doctor while I was growing up. That has to have been at least 40-45 years ago. To this day I am reminded of his gentle, caring manner. I do have a confession to make–I always thought we were seeing Dr. Burg”heart”! I still think I’m right! I know this is a great loss for you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jody (Murphy) Orosz