Walter Dale Burgher

Walter Dale Burgher, 72, of Astoria, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, in Portland.

He was born Dec. 2, 1937, in Jasper County, Iowa, to William P. and Hazel H. (Crawford) Burger.

Raised in

St. Helens, he graduated from St. Helens High School in 1955.  He attended the University of Oregon for a year.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served from 1956 to 1959.

On April 8, 1957, he married Barbara Blair in Honolulu. She survives, residing in Astoria. The couple lived in San Diego for a short period of time before moving to Clatsop County in 1959.

Mr. Burgher worked for the post office in Astoria until 1993, when he retired.

He was the founder and president of Trails End Gem and Mineral Club.

Family members said his hobbies included being a rock hound, fishing, hunting and camping.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Kristina Burgher of Ocean Park, Wash., and Stacey and Mike Cummings of Astoria; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and Tami Burgher of Clatskanie and Erik and Carole Burgher of Warrenton; eight grandchildren, Shannon Vertefeville and her husband, Micah, of Salem, Kelli and Katie Burgher of Clatskanie, Natalie, Gracie and Luke Cummings of Astoria and Matthew and Billy Jack Burgher of Warrenton; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Marjorie Burgher of Vancouver, Wash.; and a sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Larry Hargrove of Houston.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Burgher.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Warrenton, 30 N.E. First St.

A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m. Friday at Bethany Memorial Cemetery, 34721 Church Road in Warren.

Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.