Richard F. "Dick" Burke 1925-1997

SANDERS, BURKE, GALE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/27/2013 at 18:02:14

Richard F. "Dick" Burke, 71, of Sioux City died Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997, following a lengthy illness.

Funeral Mass services will be at 11 a.m. today at The Church of the Nativity, with Monsignor Michael D. Sernett officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with a flag presentation conducted by the American Legion Post 697. Larkin Morningside Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Burke was born Feb. 23, 1925, in Luverne, Minn., the son of James M. and Marion F. (Sanders) Burke. He moved to Sioux City as a child. He graduated from Fast High School and in 1963 he graduated from Keeler Polygraph Institute of Chicago, Ill.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He married Madeline D. Gale on July 14, 1947, in Akron, Iowa.

Mr. Burke was one of the first private detectives in Iowa, from 1947 to 1949. In 1949 he joined the Sioux City Police Department. He retired as a lieutenant of detectives, after 22 years, in 1971. From 1963 until his retirement in 1993, he owned and operated the R.F. Burke Polygraph Company.

He was a member of the Church of the Nativity and the church Men's Club. He was a charter member and fortifier vice president of the Iowa Polygraph Association, a member and former president of the Tri-State Policeman Association, a member of the Sioux City Policeman's Association and the Iowa Chief of Police and Peace Officers Association.

He was a licensed real estate broker in Iowa and South Dakota and was a co-developer of the Riverland Estate in North Sioux City.

He was a member and past commodore of the Missouri River Boat Club. He was also a member of the American Legion Morningside Post 697.

Mr. Burke was the owner and operator of small airplanes. He enjoyed boating and flying.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Pat of Sioux City; Dan and his wife, Carol, of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Tom of Rock Hill, S.C.; a daughter and her husband; Kathy and Tom Van Dyke of Sioux City; a brother, Vince of Buena Park, Calif.; a sister, Marjorie Holder of Sioux City; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Diane Marie Burke.

Pallbearers will be Ernie Anders, Howard Cheever, Larry Manker, Jerry Hutmacher, Orville Gale and Philip Di Mascio.

Memorials in his name may be given to Hospice of Siouxland.