Patrick H. Burch, always known as “Pat,” passed away on January 6, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas, at the age of 82.
Pat was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on December 4, 1943, to Ruth (Kearney) and Maurice Burch. As a boy growing up in KCK, Pat was involved in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow. Pat and his younger brothers grew up in an active house, full of sports, musical instruments, and sheet music. The family loved to put on performances for friends, neighbors, and church groups. The boys even competed regionally as part of a square dancing team in the 1950s.
During his teenage summers, Pat worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor in Wyandotte County and at Gardner Lake near his grandparents’ summer cottage, teaching kids to swim and even saving a life. Pat graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1962 and headed to Kansas State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science. At K-State, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He also played drums for the K-State Singers and entertained football crowds (undercover!) as the Willie the Wildcat mascot.
A date with Mimi Ronnau at Loose Park and Winstead’s would change the course of Pat’s life. He and Mimi fell in love almost immediately and were married in 1965, beginning a partnership that would last over 60 years. The young couple started their life together in Manhattan, Kansas, then Sioux City, Iowa, before moving to Topeka and eventually settling in Prairie Village, where they raised their children, Rick and Cindy. Pat was a supportive father who would be at every concert and dance recital throughout the years. He coached flag-football, baseball, and basketball, encouraging his children to try new things. He was ambidextrous and claimed to be “equally poor with both hands.”
Pat built a successful career starting as a Standard Oil pricing analyst. He moved into industrial sales covering the Midwest for several companies including the Wayne Prince Company, Acme Chain, Milwaukee Brush, and Diamond Chain. He also sold durable medical supplies and worked for a company finding jobs for people with disabilities or special needs. A lifetime of being ready to take an order meant he always had a pen handy (usually clipped onto his shirt).
Pat’s love of scouting and the outdoors always stayed with him, leading young men as a Scoutmaster for Troop 91. Some of his favorite memories involved canoe trips with Rick to Alice Lake and other Boundary Waters destinations in the US and Canada. Pat loved exploration. He and Mimi traveled together for many years, enjoying trips to California, Mexico, Colorado, and Europe and taking numerous cruises with dear friends as long as everyone’s health would allow.
Pat was a man of many talents. He was a musician who played drums, guitar, and piano, and could win any game of Name That Tune or trivia. He would raise his eyebrows on hearing someone sing off-key or play a wrong note. He was funny, goodhearted, and early to arrive. No matter what was going on in his life, Pat always had a warm smile to greet you.
Pat is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mimi; son Rick and his wife Gretchen of Paola, Kansas; daughter Cindy Daugherty of Wichita, Kansas; six grandchildren: Hayden, Logan, Grant, Riley, Ivy, and Tyler; and cousin Mike Rogers. He was preceded in death by brothers Tim and Pete and brothers-in-law John Ronnau and Bill Gamm.
A private burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas 66207. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to Scouting - Heart of America Council at https://givescoutingkc.org/.