Richard Carl (Dick) Burkhardt

Passed away peacefully at home on June 20, 2026, one day after his 83rd birthday, following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2025. Richard (Dick) is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol, his daughters Rachel Perry (Patrick), Jennifer Wingard (Marty) and his four grandchildren Julia Perry, Drew Perry, Jameson Wingard, and Holden Wingard.

Dick was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He continued his education at the University of Arizona, where he received a M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and met Carol. They married in Tucson while Dick was finishing up his degree. They started their life together in San Diego, California after Dick got a job at Control Data Corporation. In 1980, he was transferred to Minnesota where Control Data had their headquarters and he and Carol bought a house in Plymouth. Dick spent more than two decades at Control Data as a computer engineer and software manager.

After leaving Control Data, Dick explored other career options including McDonald’s franchise ownership. He began working at McDonald’s and quickly moved up to management due to his experience in the corporate world. Not many people can say they have a degree from Hamburger University, but Dick could! Ultimately, Dick decided franchise ownership wasn’t for him, thus ending that phase of his career. He went on to work at Home Depot for several years before retiring for good in 2011.

After retirement, Dick became a highly valued volunteer with the City of Plymouth, logging over 3,300 hours in 15+ years. He received a Volunteer Service Award from the City of Plymouth in 2013 and was profiled in newsletters and the local newspaper. Dick’s many volunteer hours were spent helping at the Plymouth Community Center (he was often complimented for making the best coffee ever!), taking tickets at Wayzata HS hockey games, working the information booth at the farmer’s market, and painting hearts on the many walking trails throughout the community. After benefitting from the many positive intangibles that make Plymouth such a wonderful community to raise families, Dick said, “volunteering gives me an opportunity to give back to my community while also providing a way for me to keep engaged with people.” His passion and dedication to serving the Plymouth community was inspiring.

In his younger years, Dick enjoyed playing racquetball, traveling to tournaments around Minnesota. He was also an avid cyclist and competed in many races over the years. More recently, Dick looked forward to his weekly trips to Costco, loved watching Hallmark movies, and enjoyed seeking out restaurants with the best club sandwich. Dick, Carol, and their daughter Jennifer made one last trip this spring to Gordy’s Hi Hat Restaurant in Cloquet, MN for their famous burgers and to Tobie’s Bakery in Hinckley, MN to pick up Dick’s beloved jalapeno cheddar English muffins. Dick and Carol were avid Minnesota Timberwolves fans and were season ticket holders since the Wolves franchise began in 1989. They also loved to travel both domestically and internationally and set sail on many cruises over the years taking them to amazing destinations like Alaska, Australia, and Antarctica.

Dick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will greatly be missed. No service is planned per Dick’s request. Donations on Dick’s behalf can be made to Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (https://iocp.org/donations/tribute-gifts/).