WOODSTOCK — One of the Woodstock Opera House’s most longtime, avid supporters has died.
Woodstock resident Chris Burden, well-known for his work with the Friends of the Opera House, will be missed, friends and community members said Tuesday.
Burden died Sunday. He was 84.
“He was a terrific friend and mentor,” said John Scharres, managing director of the Woodstock Opera House. “He would always be there to help with whatever needed to be done.”
Burden died at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock. His wife, Angela Burden, a former reporter, died in 1997.
Born in England in 1925, Burden served in World War II with the British Army’s Coldstream Guards. He married Angela in 1949 in Upminster.
Burden came to Woodstock shortly after being made vice president of sales and marketing for the Howard Rotavator Co. and transferred to the United States division in 1959.
Burden’s work with the Woodstock Opera House was broad in scope. He helped fundraising efforts for the nonprofit group by building birdhouses replicated after the opera building, which were raffled off.
Burden, a skilled woodworker, also built a playhouse-sized replica of the building for children and a model replica for donations.
“He had a great sense of humor,” friend Bill Elman said. Many others agreed.
“Chris was an all around nice guy,” said Ted Poehlmann, another friend. “We shall miss him.”
Burden leaves behind a daughter, son, brother, sister and six grandchildren, among others.
A memorial has been planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Stage Left Caf, 125 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Memorials can be made to the Friends of the Opera House, 121 Van Buren St.
By BRETT ROWLAND, [email protected]
Read the original article from the Northwest Herald.