Rudolf S. Buriks

1930-2013

Dr. Rudolf S. (Rudy) Buriks of Webster Groves, peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 15 at the age of 83. Beloved husband for 49 years of the late Johanna “Anke” Buriks. Loving father of Adrian (Sabine Schellenberg) Buriks of Gillingham, Kent, United Kingdom; Carla Buriks of Webster Groves; and Nora (Nicolas) Weiser of Denver, Colorado. Dear and doting Opa of Claire and Evan Weiser. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Hilda (Slot) Buriks, and his sister, Yoli Buriks all of The Hague, The Netherlands. He is survived by three sisters in The Netherlands: Atie Buriks of Groningen, Loni Reznicek of Bilthoven, and Vonni Buriks of Bergen op Zoom.

Born in The Netherlands, Dr. Buriks spent his childhood in German-occupied The Hague. He later attended the University of Leiden where he earned a PhD in organic chemistry, eventually traveling to the US on a foreign exchange scholarship to conduct research at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He left Holland to work as a high school chemistry teacher in Curacao in the late 1950’s. There, he met and married his next door neighbor, Anke. Rudy and Anke shared a love of travel, music, and family. In 1961, he and his new bride immigrated to the U.S. settling in Webster Groves while Rudy completed post-doctoral work at Washington University. They never left. The couple’s three children all attended Webster Groves High School and earned their undergraduate degrees from Wash. U. For over 30 years, Dr. Buriks worked as a chemist for the local Petrolite/Tretolite Corporation in Webster. His research in petroleum additives to enhance oil well productivity led to over 30 patents.

He had a sharp mind, a sharp wit, and a caring heart. He cared for his wife through her struggle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, moving with her to Bethesda Dilworth nursing home in 2009 when he was no longer able to care for her himself. He stayed on there after her death, continuing to be a part of the community and making many dear friends.

As a Dutchman, he seemed to have an innate love of speed skating. For decades he went weekly - first during his lunch breaks, later in retirement - to skate at the Brentwood Ice Arena. He became a fixture at the rink’s senior Coffee Club. To celebrate his love of the ice, a memorial skating session will be held during the Coffee Club session on Friday, January 3, 2014 at the Brentwood Ice Arena.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Brentwood Ice Arena

2505 S. Brentwood Blvd

9:15 – 10:45 am Coffee Club Skating Session

10:30 am – 12:30 pm Memorial Reception, Room 104 overlooking the rink

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rudy’s memory may be made to the St. Louis Symphony:

St. Louis Symphony

718 N. Grand Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63103

www.stlsymphony.org/contribution