Dr. Robert Burry Pelzel

Dr. Robert Burry Pelzel, known to family and friends by his middle name, died of pancreatic cancer on July 15, 2016.

Burry was born on June 22, 1924 in Charleston, WV, the second of four children. He attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio for two years, then served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. He was trained as a cryptographer and served an Admiral’s staff in the South Pacific. After returning home, he obtained a degree in mathematics at West Virginia University. He then attended Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1954.

During internship, he met Jane Barksdale who was in training as a pediatric psychiatrist. They were married in 1955 and in 1956 moved to Seattle where he finished training in internal medicine. In 1959 he joined the medical staff at Group Health Cooperative. In 1960 Burry and Jane built a house on the south end of Mercer Island. They had two children, Anne and Leigh. In 1968, he joined the management team at Group Health Cooperative, and served as Vice President until he retired in 1986. The only tragedy in his life was Jane’s death in 1995 from breast cancer.

In 1997, he married Barbara Barbee, whose first husband died in 1993. Barbara and Burry travelled extensively until Burry’s final illness. They also spent many peaceful days at their cabin on Hood Canal. Burry will be remembered as a renaissance man who read widely and always had a fascinating fact at the ready.

He was a deeply loyal friend, passionately opposed to violence, a secret arborist and loved chamber music. He also enjoyed cooking, mushrooming, raising dahlias, playing the cello and, most of all, steelhead and salmon fishing for 57 years.

Burry is survived by his beloved wife, his daughter and son, three stepchildren, four grandchildren, sister, brother and many nieces and nephews.

Remembrances may be made to the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Mercer Island Rotary or a charity of your choice.