Robert Louis "Bob" Burdorff
November 3, 1946 ~ August 13, 2022
Bob (Robert Louis) Burdorff, passed peacefully from this life on August 13, 2022 at age 75. He was born in Lawrence, Kansas on November 3, 1946, the third child and only son of Fred (Winfred Walter) and Mary Elizabeth (Brown) Burdorff.
Stories abound about this pregnancy and from Bob’s devoted sisters. Perhaps this formed the foundation for his lifetime of being a storyteller. His two sisters, who survive him, Marilyn Meek and Betty (Roger) Brown have their own versions. However, this story is about Bob, who loved to tell stories, sometimes embellishing them.
Bob graduated with the class of 1964 in his hometown of Augusta, Kansas. He lived the majority of his life in the Wichita area. Bob accumulated friends in the same way he accumulated his beloved Ford vehicles. Being a member of the Good Guys Rod and Custom Association and the RCRC (River City Rod and Custom car club) were big parts of his joyful life and identity.
The most beloved of all was his wife, Jackie (Sell) whom he married on September 13, 1990. This union brought three children into his life Todd (Carol), Kristi (who predeceased Bob), and Chad (Eve) not to mention four grandchildren (Chad, Sean, Jack, and the marvelous, Margot). Bob and Jackie used to call the number “13” their lucky number as it was the day of their first date, of his marriage proposal, and of their marriage day. No one could have predicted it would be the date of his passing.
Bob contributed thirty years to the engineering department of Koch Industries. As a valued employee, he traveled extensively to oversee projects and installations. He majored in engineering at Wichita State University.
Bob is also succeeded by a number of special nieces, nephews cousins and friends. Ask any of them to happily add to this story.
He will be deeply missed, just as he was always deeply loved. Next time you see a 1940 Ford hot rod, think of Bob. Memorial gifts can be made to the charity of your choice.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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One of the nicest people I have met in all my years of being around the old car hobby; Bob always made you feel important. He will be greatly missed. I am sorry for your loss, Jackie.
Prayers and thoughts with you and the family Jackie. I really loved visiting with you both when we would run into each other.
Dear Bob was a good friend and mentor when I first started at Koch. I still have some of his notes and diagrams that I reference regularly. He was always patient, and explained things in a way that would make sense. He was a good man and will be dearly missed.
Bob had a great sense of humor. He loved telling stories and he loved a good joke. When he smiled, as you were telling a joke, you would think …”he is getting this”. But when he laughed, you knew he got your joke! I loved his laugh!! He was kind and generous and his love for Jackie will never end. He has given us lots of stories and jokes to share, but we will never do them justice. He had that lovely tone in his voice which commanded an ear to listen. We will miss his stories and his jokes…. But most of all …. we will miss Bob! With fond memories and love, Todd and Carol
Bob, my cousin, was someone with whom I always enjoyed a good conversation. During our boyhood years, we had not been together very often, as Bob was a Kansas guy, while I was an Illinois boy. But I always looked forward to those times when our fathers – very close brothers who had been Kansas farm kids – would get our families together for visits. I always looked up to Bob, five years older than me, as an honest, straightforward and really good person. Later in our manhood years, I had just four occasions to meet-up with Bob. Every time Bob would spin me a tale that was so interesting. Golly… as I write this, I can hear his soft, mellow voice. While my heart is saddened with Bob’s passing, I will always have warm memories of cousin Bob. My heart-felt condolences are offered to Jackie, his sisters, our many other of Bob’s cousins and extended family, and his very many friends.
Bob was always special to me. He was my older cousin who was fascinated with cars and how things worked. We saw each other monthly as children. Our mothers were sisters and very close so monthly visits were part of their relationship. My heart goes out to Jackie. I know how happy they were and how much fun they had down through the years. My heart is heavy. With love, Jo Ann