LTC Robert "Bob" George Burke, Sr., US Army (Ret.), 82, of Columbia, died Thursday, September 14, 2023. Born May 6, 1941, in Albany, New York, he was a son of the late Lewis George and Harriett "Pearl" Record Burke. He was a US Army veteran who proudly served his country for over 24 years. During his military service, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he received a Bronze Star and worked as a nurse at the 95th evacuation hospital in Da Nang, Vietnam, nicknamed "China Beach". Following his retirement in 1990 and until his illness in 2003, LTC Burke dedicated the remainder of his career to education and nursing. He was employed at the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Central Carolina Technical School and a professor of nursing at the G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital.

LTC Burke furthered his education following his high school graduation from Utica Free Academy in Utica, NY, by earning his diploma in nursing from Utica State Hospital in Utica, NY, a bachelor's degree in nursing from Chaminade University of Honolulu in Honolulu, HI, and a master's degree in education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. Prior to his illness, he was pursuing his PhD in education from the University of South Carolina.

LTC Burke will be dearly missed by all who had the opportunity to get to know him. He was charming with a humorous personality, was well read, and could carry on conversations for hours. LTC Burke enjoyed entertaining his friends and family, especially when given the opportunity to cook or grill for others. His hobbies included reading, studying military history, and collecting cars.

Survivors include his children, Robert George Burke, Jr. (Debi), Neil Patrick Burke (Rian), and Peter Quinn Burke (Sally Ann), Debbie Lee Schreppel, and Jeffrey Sean Clement (Kim); grandchildren, Ian Keller Burke (Chelsea), Lauren Adeline Kirkwood, Connor Lewis Burke, Quinn Maree Burke, Sophie Lynn Burke, Sarah Ann Burke, Noa Jean Kron, as well as his six great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Fredrick Karl Burke.

The graveside service for LTC Burke will be held at 3 o'clock, Tuesday, September 26th, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, whose considerate care and patience contributed to Bob's quality of life since the onset of his unexpected illness in 2003.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Fisher House of Columbia, P.O. Box 290185 Columbia, SC 29229: https://fisherhouse.org/ or a veteran's non-profit organization of your choice, such as the Big Red Barn Retreat, 8024 Winnsboro Rd., Blythewood, SC 29016. Donate — Big Red Barn Retreat: thebigredbarnretreat.org

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.