Paul Burgess

PAUL D. BURGESS Iowa City Paul D. Burgess, 79, lifelong resident of the area, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Bird Hospice House in Iowa City. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with burial to follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Coralville. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Paul's memory. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com. Paul Dean Burgess was born Jan. 3, 1938, in Iowa City, the son of Ernest F. and Lillian "Bob" (Finley) Burgess. Attending schools in Iowa City, he graduated from City High School in 1957. Paul married Mary Agnes Forman on Sept. 7, 1957, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. For over 35 years, Paul worked in the Physical Plant shops of the University of Iowa, retiring as general manager. Paul was a member of the board of directors for the University of Iowa Credit Union for over 15 years. He also was a member of the Iowa City Host Noon Lions Club for many years. Paul enjoyed life, especially the outdoors, camping with family, fishing for walleyes, working in his garden, hunting mushrooms and caring for his yard and pool at their home on Bloomington Street simply being outside was all he needed. For over 20 years he and Mary would enjoy wintering in the Florida Keys. But nothing was more important than being husband, dad, grampa, great-grandpa and uncle Paul he loved his family so very much, as they did him! Paul was a dedicated member of the Iowa Army National Guard for 30 years and achieved the rank of command sergeant major of the 109th Medical Battalion before he retired in 1989. His attendance at many schools and the many different assignments during his career was a witness to his constant dedication to the Guard and his desire to excel. Reaching the pinnacle of the highest enlisted soldier's rank in the organization and the many awards and decorations he received, including the Meritorious Service Medal, are a testimonial to his military professionalism. He was always considered a soldier's soldier and highly respected by everyone with whom he served. Paul's family includes his wife, Mary; their children, Paul C. Burgess, Traci Ronan (Jon), Terri DiPaolo (Edward) and Wendy Wortman (Eric); 10 grandchildren, Jill Burgess, Beth Burgess, Ryan Ronan (Rachel), Kristen McRoy (Alex), Kylie Ronan, Austin Ronan, Isabella DiPaolo, Faith DiPaolo, Emma Wortman and Dean Wortman; three great-grandchildren, Reese and Ryland Ronan and Bret McRoy; and Paul's siblings, Patricia Detweiler and Arnold Burgess (Shirley). He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Burgess; mother and stepfather, Lillian and Roy Finley; and brother-in-law, Ivan Detweiler.