" In Memory of Jerry Burgderfer"

Our beloved longtime Tri-State volunteer, Jerry L. Burgderfer, 58, passed away suddenly in a plane crash on Friday evening. Burgderfer, an experienced commercial pilot, was returning home from dropping off a passenger in Michigan when the accident occurred.

Jerry’s family, friends, grandchildren and thousands of voiceless creatures remember his love and concern. Everyone who met him remembers him as the kind of person who would do anything for you.

For over fifteen years, Jerry was a wonderful and caring volunteer for Tri-State Collie Rescue. Tri-State president Sharon Goodburn recounts that she could always count on him, and his devotion to the collies was only surpassed by the love of his family. Other volunteers recall his reputation for assisting when no one else could.

Marilyn Baumgardt, a Tri-State volunteer in Indianapolis, Indiana, remembers meeting Jerry at the tarmac of the Indianapolis airport. “When he landed he taxied right toward me, having obviously seen Spencer and I waiting for him. It was a beautiful afternoon and a beautiful project to be involved in. Spencer was an old guy so Jerry tenderly carried him to his plane and up the steps,” she says. “It brought a tear to my eye to see Spencer leave, but also because it touched my heart to see someone willing to go to such lengths for collie rescue. It was an experience I will always remember. Spencer has since passed as well and I know he is there in heaven greeting Jerry, and giving him slurps of thanks for all his work with collie rescue.”

Tri-State volunteer Linda Vaughan recalls the photos Jerry sent to her when he flew two collies she had fostered in Indiana all the way to their new home in North Carolina. She did not ask him to send the photos, but knows he did, just to reassure her that the dogs were fine. Sure enough, they were relaxed, and even looked like royalty, as they flew in a first-class canine cabin.

“I only had the honor of meeting him once,” says Vaughan, “but I could tell he was a kind hearted man. When no one else could help with the transport he was there. He took the pictures just to reassure me. He was a man of rare character and he will be missed!”

On his last day on earth, Jerry picked up a one-year-old collie, Joshua, from fellow volunteer Dave Magers in Tiffin, Ohio, and brought him to Columbus so the dog could take part in Tri-State’s prison program, where correctional inmates and collies both learn life skills that will help to restore them. His final rescue will doubtless be remembered at the correctional facility for bringing them a soft and gentle friend, and offering the example of a selfless last act in a life lived for others.

Sharon Goodburn recalls Jerry’s amazing work in restoring a dog named Daniel, who lived for years in inhumane conditions at a breeding farm, stuffed into a horse stall with his four brothers. Daniel was very fearful of humans and even tried to run away because he was so frightened. Jerry worked very hard to make Daniel a good companion. He spent his own money and his time on Daniel, he never gave up on him, and after a year and a half, Daniel was ready to go into a loving home.

“Jerry was always there for our collies,” says Goodburn. “This is a terrible loss to the world.”

His family has asked that donations be sent to Tri-State in lieu of flowers. Tri-State will be sending Jerry’s wife a Norwegian pine tree to be planted in his memory.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Jerry, you can do so through the PayPal link below or by mail to TSCR, 626 Sable Chase, Brownsburg, IN, 46112. Please notate Jerry's name in the comments field.