Walter “Ab” Albert Burke died in his home on Jan. 6, 2020 at the age of 91. Ab was born Nov. 16, 1928, in Brooklyn, Washington. Ab was the fifth of seven children born to Walter and Grace Burke. Ab grew up on the family-owned dairy farm in North River, Washington, and graduated high school in 1947 from North River High. Ab attended the University of Washington for a short time until joining the Army in 1948. Ab served in the Army Escort Services from July 1948 to November 1951 during the Korean War and was recruited to play baseball and basketball for the Army. After the Army, Ab moved to Seaside, met and married Susan Dickson then started his lifelong career in the logging industry as a choker setter for Crown Zellerbach. In 1959, Ab became an independent contractor in the logging industry which continued until 2002 when he retired.

Ab found happiness in the outdoors and in his home with friends and family. Ab found great joy visiting and spending time with his grand-kids and great-grand kids. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, clammer, golfer and enjoyed gardening. Another one of his favorite pastimes was beach combing with longtime friend Ben Olson. Ab and Ben must have collected a thousand glass floats over the years. The Burkes welcomed visitors almost daily and entertained with conversation over coffee.

Ab was a retired Seaside volunteer fireman, a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 99 and Seaside Elks.

Ab’s son Scott Burke passed away December 2015.

Ab is survived by his wife of 67 years, Susan of Seaside, Oregon; sister, Doris “Tyne” Burke of Tumwater, Washington, and sister-in-law Margaret Burke of Centralia, Washington.

Children: Scott’s wife, Anne of Seaside, Oregon, Jody Burke, Deer Valley, Washington, Marlene Sande, (Doug), of Warren, Steve Burke (Sofie), Seaside, Molly St. Hilaire (Tom) of Yamhill.

Grandchildren: Kellia Holzworth, Scappoose, Corey Sande, Scappoose, Kassi Euwas, St. John’s, Jacob Burke, Roseburg, Stephanie “Stevie” Stevenson, Seaside, Shelby St. Hilaire, Yamhill.

Great-grandchidren: Carter and Quinn Meharry, Scappoose, Ella Grace and Brookly Burke, Ridgefield, Fischer Stevenson, Seaside, Nolan and Eliza Euwer, St. Johns as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be at Burke Family Cemetery, Brooklyn, Washington, on Jan. 18, 2020, at 1 p.m.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion, Seaside, Oregon, on Feb. 1, 2020, from 2-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers any remembrance may be donated to Seaside Kids Inc., PO Box 275, Seaside, Oregon 97138