Robert Leonard Burdick

Our dearly loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Robert Leonard Burdick, 86, of Danville, KY, transitioned from his earthly body January 15, 2026.

Bob was born to Homer Clayton Burdick and Phyllis Marie Leonard Burdick on his Grandmother Burdick’s birthday, August 3, 1939, in Wellsville, NY.Bob spent his childhood in Friendship, NY, where his family enjoyed time at Chautauqua Lake, Cuba Lake and he participated in other local outdoor activities, including soccer tournaments.

He also began a lifelong interest in music, learning to play accordion, piano and trombone in the Friendship Central School marching band.As he made friends wherever he went, Bob met his wife of 62 years, Judith Ann Shultz Burdick, while he was in engineering school at Rochester Institute of Technology and she was in nursing school at the University of Rochester. 

In 1963, Bob and Judy moved to Lexington, KY, where he started a decades long career at IBM and they began to raise their 3 daughters, Deborah Lynn Burdick Cureton of Grand Rapids, MI; Suzanne Marie Burdick Cooksey of Nicholasville, KY; and Stacey Leigh Burdick Taul of Lancaster, KY.  In 1973, the family moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Bob was promoted to a leadership position in the copier division of IBM.  In addition to coaching and playing soccer, Bob swam at the local YMCA every morning and the family became avid hikers enjoying many adventures in the mountainous terrain.

In those majestic mountains, Bob began to explore all aspects of spirituality and deeply connected to the concept of “have, do, be” which he explored throughout his life.On behalf of IBM, he often traveled domestically and internationally, frequently to Japan, sharing cultural customs, cuisine and photographs of adventures with colleagues when he returned home.In 1982, as Bob embarked in a career at Lexmark, the family returned to Lexington, KY. They purchased a small farm in Nicholasville, KY, and to support daughter Stacey’s equestrian passion, Gentle Touch Arabians was created.Until his early 80’s, Bob attended every lesson and show with his daughter.When Bob was nearing retirement, the family moved to Herrington Lake, KY, participating in all aspects of water sports. Bob also developed an interest in American Indian culture, becoming an avid collector and creator of art and artifacts.

He and Judy explored indigenous sites throughout the U.S.With a lifelong interest in illusion, Bob studied to become a magician, performing at birthday parties, churches and nursing facilities near his home.In recent years, the family moved to Danville, KY, where Bob greeted each passerby during his daily walks at Millennium Park and thoroughly enjoyed water aerobics at the McDowell Wellness Center. He and Judy often attended theatrical productions at Pioneer Playhouse and local events at Centre College and Shaker Village. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents: Homer Clayton Burdick and Phyllis Marie Leonard BurdickBob is survived by his siblings and their spouses: James Clayton Burdick and Martha Lanphere Burdick of Fredonia, NY; Donald Homer Burdick and Martha  Padden Burdick of Dunkirk, NY; Reid C. Matteson and Cynthia Marie Burdick Matteson of Smethport, PA; 4 children; and 6 grandchildren.Bob is also survived by his loving wife Judith Ann Shultz Burdick of Danville KY; 3 daughters and their spouses ; Keith A Cureton and Deborah Lynn Burdick Cureton of Grand Rapids, MI; Charles A Cooksey and Suzanne Marie Burdick Cooksey of Nicholasville, KY; Darren P Taul and Stacey Leigh Burdick Taul of Lancaster, KY; 7 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren .