Ronald “Ronnie” Burch, formerly of Salmon, passed away May 19, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children at their home in Boise. Ron was born July 20, 1947, in Hamilton, Montana to Devon and Elaine Burch. He attended elementary school in Tuttle and Hagerman. Then the family moved back to Salmon in 1956 where Ron completed his education and graduated from Salmon High School in 1965.
While in high school and following graduation, Ron trained and raced horses throughout Idaho. He volunteered for the U.S. Army in October 1966 and served a tour of duty during the Vietnam War. He remained part of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1967-1972. Ron was honorably discharged in October 1972. For his service, he was awarded a Purple Heart.
He returned to Salmon and married Nancy Swanson in 1970. The couple had two beautiful daughters, Tracy and Kimberly. The Burch family purchased the bulk fuel plant in 1976, creating Burch Oil Company. They added the gas station on Main Street to the company in 1988. Burch Oil serviced the Lemhi and Salmon River valleys for over 27 years.
Ron was an avid horseman-training, racing, riding and roping. He especially enjoyed watching his daughters compete in rodeo and teaching his grandchildren to ride. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping with family, and creating Dutch oven meals—stroganoff and bread were the family favorites. He continued his fishing passion throughout his life with a plethora of family and friends. He is probably telling stories and fishing right now with Jim Skinner and Val Johnson. He lived life to the fullest, which sometimes put him in some tough spots, but he always came through in the end. Upon retiring in 2009, he took up golf. Ron and Nancy spent many hours at the Salmon Valley Golf Course. The couple were mainstays at Salmon athletic events and traveled to nearly every out-of-town event to watch their grandchildren play and support the Salmon Savages.
Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Elaine Burch and his father, Devon Burch. He is survived by: his wife Nancy Burch, brother Jim (Shelley) Burch, sister Arla (Chuck) Boots, brother-in-law Rodger Swanson, daughter Tracy (Jeremy) Burgess, daughter Kimberly (Kevin) Laurie; granddaughters Bailee (Spencer) Benjamin, Kaitlyn Burgess, Sydnee Laurie; grandsons Blazen Burgess, Connor Laurie, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside Services will be held at the Salmon Cemetery on Saturday, June 24, at 11am. A celebration of life will follow at the Salmon Elks Lodge with lunch provided. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity in Ron’s name.