Albert William "Bill" Burger

Albert William “Bill” Burger, a loving husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of three, and a grandfather of two, passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday, April 1, 2021. Bill was born September 19, 1940 in Ida Grove, Iowa to the late Albert and Ruby Burger.

Bill attended Jefferson High School in Jefferson, IA where he met the love of his life, Sheri. He then continued his education at the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!) where he studied and worked at the Center for Disabilities and Development as an orderly. After working in taxidermy, Bill found his career as a maxillofacial prosthetist.
He worked for the University of Iowa Hospital and then the Wilmington Delaware Veteran’s Hospital after his family moved to Delaware. Bill also taught facial prosthetics at Temple University and Columbia University. He was a member of Optimist International and was a former scoutmaster. He was internationally known for his work casting hands of famous persons which remains on display at Baylor University today.

Bill, the green-thumb gardener, was known for his colorful zinnias, plump vegetables, and pretty-faced pansies from the garden he and his wife, Sheri, tended every spring. Bill’s heart for people was large, but he really had a special place in his heart for animals. The neighborhood squirrels, raccoons, and birds (cardinals, goldfinch, woodpeckers, and chickadees) always knew to seek refuge in Bill’s backyard — a safe haven for any animal that needed a home. He loved to hunt and fish, watch squirrels in his backyard, and build bird houses.

On Saturday nights, Bill could regularly be found sipping margaritas and eating chips and queso or rooting on the Hawkeyes with his wife and family. He would regularly sing along to John Denver, Glen Campbell, or Peter Paul and Mary songs– and hitting the lowest notes every time. He especially loved singing along with the family jukebox that he and Sheri used for sock-hops in their high school days.

He was known for fixing things instead of buying new — especially when it came to his favorite cars, the Datsun 240Z and multiple Opel GTs. Much like he felt about everything else, his style was consistently reliable; he was never seen without his signature flannel or button down shirt, Levi jeans, and brown socks. Bill was never anything other than exactly who he was.

Bill is survived by his wife, Sherritt (“Sheri”); children, Bradford William (wife, Carla) Burger, Sheli (husband, George) Baker, Greg (wife, Maureen) Burger; granddaughters, Natalie Burrow and Lindsey (husband, Nick) Babb. He was preceded in death by his siblings Kay Marten, Julie Riley and Jon Burger.

Private family services will be held. In memory of Bill’s love for animals, contributions may be made to the Hamilton County Humane Society in Bill’s name or the Carmel Fire Department: One Civic Square, Carmel, IN.46032. Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.