Date of death: 11/14/2009
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1968
Commander Richard E. McBurney, Navy Nurse Corps, died at home after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma. Commander McBurney was born April 19, 1942, in Natrona, to Cecilia and Elwood McBurney. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Doris; his son, Richard Eric; three brothers, Daniel, David and Kevin; two sisters, Laureen and Carol; and an aunt, Irene Porter, all of Tarentum. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Commander McBurney proudly served in the Navy for 23 years, both as an enlisted corpsman and a nurse corps officer. He and his family were stationed at various duty stations throughout the country. He retired from the Navy in May 1988. He was a devout Catholic and a member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Corpus Christi. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His kindness and his wry sense of humor will always be remembered. The family would like to thank Ms. Mary Catherine Mitchell of Gatesville, TX, and Ms. Alta Lee, of Waco, TX, for their love and unwavering support. They would also like to thank the staff of Nurses on Wheels Hospice for their excellent and loving care of Commander McBurney during the last two months of his life.Information obtained from The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review online, www.pittsburghlive.com.