Orleans – Richard Wheeler Burdick

Richard "Dickie" Burdick 85, died Thursday evening January 22, 2026 at North Country Hospital in the presence of his nephew and great niece after a long illness.

He was born July 30, 1940 in Newport the son of Gustavus Willey Burdick and Leonie Josephine Wheeler.

Richard was a graduate of Orleans High School where he excelled as an athlete.

Richard was employed for thirty years for the Village of Orleans. In the winter, you would see Dickie walking around the village with a shovel cleaning out the fire hydrants, and in the summer time he would mow all the grass with a push mower.

Richard was an avid Boston sports fan. The Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox were his favorites. As Dickie passed away, an older Red Sox game was playing in the background.

Richard was a lifetime member of the Orleans Federated Church. Up until 2020, if you were looking for Richard on a Sunday, you would find him at "his" church. Richard was very proud of his role as head usher. He took his duties very seriously. In recent years, Richard was presented a cross for his many years of service in his many roles in the church. He deeply loved his church family.

Survivors are his nephew Lawrence Burdick, of Orleans, other nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and great nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and by his siblings, Ruth Wakelin, Willard Burdick, Frances Ross, Edward Burdick, and Roma Burdick

Funeral service will be held on Saturday January 31, 2026 at the Orleans Federated Church at 11 A.M. Visiting hours will be at 10 A.M. until the time of the service.

Burial will be at a later date in Pleasant View Cemetery in Orleans.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Orleans Federated Church, 24 School Street, Orleans, VT 05860.