Homer A. Burch

Homer A. Burch, of Norwich, New York, died on Monday, September 23, 2024 at UHS Wilson Medical Center, Johnson City, New York. He was born in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Elsie (Head) and Edgar E. Burch on February 22, 1933. His wife, Janice (Bentle) Burch, survives. Homer is survived by his daughter, Laura Hover of Sacramento, California, and his son and family, David Burch and Stacy Oines of West Winfield, New York. He has five grandchildren; Erik James Hover, Matthew David Burch, Jennifer Corinne Burch, Ava Rose Burch and Mira Oreen Burch. 

Homer was a graduate of Thornton Township High School, Harvey, Illinois and St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota with BA degree in chemistry in 1955. He received his PhD degree in organic chemistry from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan in 1960. In June 1956 he married Janice O. Bentle in Appleton, Wisconsin. Following graduate school, he began employment at the Norwich Pharmacal Company, Norwich, New York as a research chemist. Subsequently, he became Section Head of Organic Chemistry and in later years was a Project Manager of developing drugs, and auditor of clinical trials worldwide under Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals, the successor of the Norwich Pharmacal Co. He retired in 1994.

He and his family enjoyed many summers at their cottage on Geneganslet Lake, McDonough, New York. Among his many hobbies was chair caning. Homer was active in many Masonic organizations, served on the Board of Trustees of the Northeast Classic Car Museum and was treasurer of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Norwich, for many years. 

A memorial service, led by Rev. Laura Wade, preceded by a Masonic service, will be held at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 94 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY on Saturday, October 19, 2024 beginning at 9:45 a.m. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, NY on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow the Memorial Service in the church fellowship hall. Burial will occur in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Homer’s memory may be made to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 94 North Broad St., Norwich, NY.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with John Antonowicz of the Wilson Funeral Home.