Rudolf S. Buriks

1930 - 2013

Rudolf S. Buriks obituary, 1930-2013, Saint Louis, MO

FUNERAL HOME

Gerber Chapel

23 W Lockwood Ave

Webster Groves, Missouri

Rudolf Buriks Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 16, 2013.

Dr. 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

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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6 Entries

January 2, 2014

Dear Adrian, Carla and Nora, So very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, please accept our heartfelt condolences. We didn't know he was still living in St. Louis and thought he went to live with one of you.

We spent lovely times with him and your mother and would have loved to hear more of their stories. He leaves a precious legacy in his three children and grandchildren, a legacy of love and devotion. Hugs for all of you, Frank and Maria Kellam

December 31, 2013

Terri Waters

Dear Carla, Nora and Adrian,

We offer condolences on your father's passing, and look forward to attending the memorial at the ice rink. What a wonderful and fitting tribute to a man who spent many happy hours on the ice, and inspired all three of you to lace up your skates at a young age and excel at speed skating.

My memories of your dad are mostly of his quiet manner, in direct opposition to Anke's feisty and animated nature. If opposites do attract, your parents are a perfect example of it! I remember your parents playing tennis at Blackburn Park on Sunday mornings while we huffed and puffed through long runs at cross country practice (or at least I huffed and puffed - Adrian and Carla were much better runners than me).

I never realized your dad had achieved thirty different patents during his work at Petrolite. What an acoomplishment - and my guess is that in his quiet, unassuming way he never bragged or boasted of it.

Here's to Rudy and a well-lived life!

December 28, 2013

Karen Conrath Pollard

Carla, I was saddened to hear of your dad's passing. He was a kind and gentle man and he will be missed.

December 27, 2013

Although we had not seen Rudy in a long time, we remembered him and always spoke of him so fondly. His stories about skating long distances on the Dutch canals kept us entertained as we skated in little circles at the Brentwood rink. We will definitely attend the skating session and reception in memory of Rudy.

Linda and Jerry Koenig

December 22, 2013

Gene Schwach

I had the pleasure of knowing Rudy thru skating. His stories of skating the canals in the Netherlands always facinated me. We have missed him at Coffee Club. In his memory I will restart my desire to skate the canals before I wear out my new knees. Gene Schwach

December 22, 2013

I am so sad to hear of Rudy's passing. He was one of the kindest, nicest people I have ever known. I worked with Rudy at Petrolite and always enjoyed him and his smiling face. I also skated with him at Brentwood at lunch many years ago. He will always be one of my most favorite persons. God bless him and Anke who was also very sweet.
Audrey Brekel

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Funeral services provided by:

Gerber Chapel

23 W Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119

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