Robert Dickson Burgess, 90, died in his home Saturday, December 14, 2024. Bob was born October 7, 1934, in Kansas City, MO. His formative years were spent in Nevada, MO where he graduated from Nevada High School, Class of 1952. Bob was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Following his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was accepted into Hospital Corpsman School in Camp Pendleton, CA. As a Corpsman, he was attached to the U.S. Marines. After medically retiring from the Navy, he became Director of EEG-Cardiopulmonary at Sparks Regional Medical Center. During his time with Sparks, he started a 2-year Respiratory School and after 2 graduating classes, the school moved to Westark College. He was also instrumental in the Class for EMT's before it moved to Westark. He was the first Certified Physician Assistant in the State of Arkansas. He was ahead of his time for this profession. After almost 20 years in the para-medical profession, he decided to give real estate a try. In 1981, Bob passed the real estate exam and obtained his license. A few years later, he took classes for designation of Executive Broker, received his Executive Broker's license and spent the next ten years with Don Smith & Associate Realtors prior to retiring in 1996.
In 1970, Bob married Victoria Ann Carroll and they spent the next 54+ years together. Bob enjoyed gardening and sharing with family, friends and neighbors.
Bob is a Charter Member of the River Valley Marine Corps League, Lifetime Member of VFW Post 31, and the American Legion.
Bob is survived by his wife, Ann, of the home; sister-in-law Leslie Martin (Sid), nephew, Scott Martin (Sara) and niece, Holly Davidson (Nick), all of Fort Smith. He is also survived by great-nephews, Zane Humphrey, Jack Martin, Nicholas Davidson Jr., Luke Martin, great-niece Victoria Davidson, and his precious furbaby, Lady.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Allene and Emmett Dwyer, mother-in-law, Victoria Carroll, great-nephew, Coe Carroll, brothers-in-law Richard Carroll and Garry Carroll and his furbabies Brandy, Ginny, Abbie and Hattie.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ben Beland, Don Smith,Jr., Don Wright, David Humphrey, and Mark Waynick.
A memorial service will be at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4100 Grand Avenue, on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. in the church narthex.
Inurnment of ashes at Oak Cemetery with Military Honors will be after the holidays.
The family requests that memorials be made to Heart of Hospice, 1401 S. Waldron Road, Suite 201, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
