David Bird Burnham

David Bird Burnham
Hamilton - On September 27, 2012, David Bird Burnham achieved peace from his cancer-infected body. He spent his final days under the loving care of the nurses and care providers at Marcus Daly Hospice and family members.
David was born on January 12, 1925 at Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, California to John DuBois Burnham from Essex, New York and Constance Alberta Fairchild Burnham from Glen Ridge, New Jersey. The Burnhams were ranchers at their Rancho Matilija in the Ojai Valley of California. His father John was also a land developer at Montecito, Hope Ranch Park, Santa Barbara, and Newport Beach, CA.
David was a graduate of South Pasadena-San Marino High School. He entered the US Coast Guard in 1943, and after release from the San Diego Naval Hospital in 1944 he attended Pasadena City College and Colorado A&M at Fort Collins, CO. When he returned to his home at South Pasadena he worked for the International Bechtel Corporation. Later he was associated with the Cla-Val Corporation, Alhambra, CA as a purchasing agent. He was storekeeper for the Grinnell Corporation of Providence, RI, and a purchasing agent for the Hartley Pen Company, Pasadena, CA. He was associated with Grand Central Aircraft Company, Glendale, CA, in the Internal Auditing Department in Systems and Procedures and Forms Control. He moved with Grand Central to Tucson, AZ and worked with Systems and Procedures under the instructions and auspices of Booze Allen and Hamilton. He also moved with Grand Central Aircraft to Fresno, CA as Internal Auditor of that division.
Many may remember when David lived in the Bitterroot Valley where he sold real estate and was an owner of the Lodgepole Restaurant and Antique Shop in Corvallis, MT, working with Robert Oakley and Ronald Ochs. David found his life vocation as an antiques dealer for 60 years. He was a member in good standing of the Antiques Appraisals Association of America, Inc, the National Association of Dealers in Antiques, Inc, The Antique Appraisal Association of Montana, member 25890 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, and Regional Vice President of the American Antiques Truck Historical Society, Inc. In addition to the positions held with antiques organizations, David was Past Vice President and Water Operator of the Milltown, Montana Water Users Association, Inc, and Vice President of the Milltown Addition Home Owners Association, Inc.
David is survived by his son Ronald Ochs Burnham and brother Fred Burnham (Laurie) of Hamilton, MT. Having lived as co-worker/owner/friend in Corvallis, Missoula and Milltown, MT, with moves to Polosboro and Asotin, WA, and with travels to many antique shows, David adopted Ronald Ochs as his son in 1999. David is also survived by nieces and nephews Donna Burnham Evans, Joy Burnham, Scott Burnham, Bill Burnham, Steve Burnham, and Barbara Burnham Gonsalves, many great-nieces and nephews, plus Ron's siblings Betty Frost, Rita Gjefle, Anne Finnicum and Ardyce Kelley and their family members. David was preceded in death by the untimely departures of brothers John Fairchild Burnham and William DuBois Burnham, co-worker and friend Robert Oakley, and nephew John Burnham.
David expressed a special love to each of his many special families and to each of his many wonderful loyal friends treasured through all the years.
Per David's request there will be no funeral services. Cremation will be performed and an urn placed at the Corvallis Cemetery.