In the heart of the Burd Ford showroom is a dark, empty office that once belonged to Richard Burd, who unexpectedly took his life just two weeks before Thanksgiving. The void he left transcends the dealership into the greater Lawrence community, evident by the estimated 2,000 family, friends, and neighbors who attended his funeral services on November 13th.
“I’ve worked next to him for 23 years, side-by-side, and I never saw this coming,” said Chris Burd, the widow and childhood sweetheart of Rich. “It was a total shock.”
Chris became concerned in the early hours of November 11th when she awoke at 2:00 am to find that Rich was not yet home. She drove to the dealership and called police when she discovered his car in the parking lot. Upon entering, police found Rich Burd dead at the age of 43, from self-inflicted asphyxiation. Chris found herself a widow with four children (Catherine, Nicholas, Jonathan and Cydney), and the weight of a Ford dealership falling squarely on her shoulders.
She sat down with her children one evening and asked them what they would like to see the family do. One of the children best summarized their feelings.
“After seeing all the people that came out to see Dad, we realized that it’s not just about us: it’s about the employees, the community, and Lawrence Township. Everybody needs this place (Burd Ford) to be here.”
With the buy-in from the kids, Chris contacted some past employees to come back to Burd Ford to help. John Parson, a childhood friend of Rich and Chris, came to help out with the used car business. Dick Widmer came out of retirement.
“I’m still overwhelmed by the support of our friends, neighbors, and staff. I think we have meals coming to our house until the end of the school year,” Chris said as she shook her head, fighting back a tear.
Her last hurdle was the approval from executives at Ford Motor Company who recently visited Chris to review her plans for moving forward with the dealership. Feeling comfortable with Chris’ plans and staff additions, Ford gave Chris and Burd Ford the final thumbs up.
Moving forward, Chris will still be the front person handling the advertising, marketing, and business operations of the dealership. Managers, who have now almost become family, fully support Chris and the family dealership with renewed focus and perspective.
Keeping with the family mantra, 15-year-old son, Nick Burd, was recently featured in the latest Burd Ford television commercials. He is the heir apparent to the darkened Rich Burd office, adjacent to his mom’s, as soon as he finishes college. Chris admits that during the filming of the commercial, she had a weird moment.
“I started dating Rich when he was Nick’s age. They look and act so much alike, it was like looking back in time.”
For those that knew Rich Burd, his legacy will be one of philanthropy and community service. “Coach Burd” is the person that most Lawrence Township children and parents have gotten to know over the years. An avid basketball and football coach, Rich spent most of his time outside of the dealership coaching intramural sports. Chris recounted one story in particular that epitomized Rich’s drive and passion for coaching.
“I came downstairs at our house in the middle of the night and found Rich typing away on his computer. ‘What are you doing up so late?’ I asked. He said, ’I’m working on the LTBBL (Lawrence Township Basketball League) Web site.’ He would work all day and then come home and literally work all night on sports.”
Out of this tragedy and loss, Chris has seen the best of our Geist community. Phone calls, emails, cards, meals, and other signs of condolence have been pouring in since Rich’s death.
“People should remember Rich as a caring, compassionate, loyal person,” Chris said. “He sent me flowers every month for 26 years. You just can’t fill those shoes.”
