Obituary of Robert M Burd

Robert M. Burd, 90, of Washington, NJ, passed away on October 31,2015, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Fay (Sarson) Burd. They would have been married 69 years on December 8. Born in Belvidere, NJ on 9/14/1925. He was the son of Harold F. Burd, Sr. and Beth (Widenor) Burd. Robert was a graduate of Washington High School, the class of 1943. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II from 1943-1946. He served on an LST as a Quartermaster in the first wave of the Normandy Invasion. After serving in the Coast Guard, he joined his father and brother, Harold Burd Jr. in the family business known as Burd Chevrolet. The family expanded the business to include Burd Volkswagen and Audi and Burd Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge. Robert served as the president of the New Jersey Automobile Dealers Association in 1971. He was also director and secretary of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Through the the years he served on numerous General Motors and Volkswagen dealer counsels. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington for over 77 years, a member of the Mansfield Masonic Lodge, a charter member of the Washington Lions Club and a life member of the American Legion. He served on the committee which was responsible for building the Warren County Technical School. He was a member and president of the Warren Hospital Board of Trustees and was a member of the Board of Directors of Smoke Enders. He served as president for the center of the study of smoking behavior and was co-founder to the Warren Hills Health Center. He was a recipient of the Northwood Institute Auto Dealer Education award and was a trustee and director of the Automotive Hall of Fame. He won the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award in 1969, was a director of the Midlantic Bank and co-founder of the Warren County 200 Club. He served as the New Jersey State Jury Commissioner for many years in Belvidere, NJ. Robert and his wife enjoyed traveling the world and spending winter months in their Florida home Survivors: In addition to his loving wife, Fay, he is survived by his twin sons, John and his wife, Elaine, of White Township, NJ; James and his wife,Carol, of Mansfield, PA and Robert and his wife, Carol, of Egg Harbor Twsp., NJ. He is survived by 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, sister-in-law June Lance and her companion Mario Pasquini of Washington, NJ; sister-in-law Kathie Gonyeau and her husband James of Michigan and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his godchild Lori Fay Wright of Washington NJ. and close friend, Rick Quinn, who was like a son to Robert of Coral Gables, Florida. He was pre-deceased by his sister Irene Mooney and brother Harold Burd, Jr . A viewing will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 4-7pm at the DeVoe Funeral Service 136 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday November 4 at 11 am also at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Montana Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Home Instead Senior Care of Washington. NJ and Karen Quinlan Hospice of Newton NJ. The DeVoe Funeral Service has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please see www.devoefuneral.com for online condolences.