Robert “Bob” Burdick Henrickson

Robert “Bob” Burdick Henrickson, 95, passed away peacefully at Oakwood Village in Madison, March 10, 2022.

Robert was born May 13, 1926, in Cornell, at Fern Grove Dairy, in the family home.

He graduated from Cornell High School in 1943. While in high school, Bob began expanding and nurturing his interests in photography, science and classical music, which he enjoyed all his life.

After high school, Bob entered the U.S. Army and served in Germany, from 1945-46. Returning home, he entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison to earn a B.S. degree in chemistry.

While at Madison, he also played trombone in the university band. Upon graduation, he transferred to the University of Minnesota, and studied alongside one of the premier analytical chemists in the country, and was awarded his master’s degree in analytical chemistry.

Upon leaving the university, Bob embarked on a career as chemist at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y. As years passed, his interests led him to chemical analysis in a hospital setting and later, working with foster children through the YMCA in Rochester, N.Y.

Then, in 1975, he moved to McFarland, to be near family and to care for his mother. Later in life, with all the kindness he willingly gave to others, Bob began volunteering as a math/science tutor at the McFarland High School and continued do so for 11 years.

He had been a lifesaver for so many students, that it was not surprising to see Bob praised and honored by dozens of civic organizations, radio and TV stations, newspapers, teachers and parents. In 2000, Bob was named McFarland’s Citizen of the Year.

Before ending this obituary, I must recognize all that Bob has done for me, his younger cousin, Charles. Bob’s interests in photography, science and classical music, are also mine. To have such a positive effect on another, is truly a gift.

He was preceded in death by his parents – Allen and Olive (Burdick) Henrickson; sister – Nelda Pierce; brother-in-law – Richard; nephews and nieces – Paul Pierce (Joanne Fuller), Oregon, Laura (Jay) Gilbert, Nebraska, Allen (Katie) Pierce, Wisconsin, and Elise (Ray) Betz, Montana; and great-nephews – Allen and Philip Gilbert, and Robert Pierce; and two cousins raised at Fern Grove Dairy – Charles Henrickson, Bowling Green, Ky., and James Henrickson, Austin, Texas.