Charley Taber Burgdorf, 87

Charley Taber Burgdorf, 87, of 323 Millard Burke Memorial Highway, Goshen, Virginia died Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville, Virginia.

He was born January 27, 1935 in Oswego, New York to the late Harley Leon and Ruth Irene Taber Burgdorf. He later moved to Tupper Lake, where he graduated from high school.

He was also a graduate of the Wanakena School of Forestry in the Adirondacks, then studied Art in Cincinnati.

He served in the United States Army as an M.P. stationed in Germany.

He was employed by the Boy Scouts of America at Goshen Scout Camp Reservation as the superintendent, retiring in 1997 after 37 years.

He was an active member of the community, serving as past president and longtime member of the Goshen Lions Club and coaching Babe Ruth baseball. He was a forty-year member of the National Ski Patrol, enjoyed annual ski trips with his family, and loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with the love of his life, wife Rose, and their large family. He was of the Methodist faith, and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clifton Forge.

He was the most loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, enjoyed his long happy life, and was affectionately known as “Papoo” by his loved ones.

As Bill Gwaltney, Goshen Scout Camp staff member, said, “There wasn’t a finer man to wear shoe leather.”

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, a twin infant brother, Harley, and Richard Paul “Dick” Burgdorf.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rosella Colleen “Rose” O’Neil Burgdorf of Goshen; three children, Steven Patrick Burgdorf and wife Mary Ann of Lexington, Debra Ann Burgdorf Taylor and husband Jerry Ray, Jr. of Clifton Forge, and Charles Taber Burgdorf and wife Forrest Ann of Vesuvius; a brother, D. James “Jim” Burgdorf and wife Judy of Newark, New York; eight grandchildren, Heidi Peck (Russell), Lauren Hanna (Robert), Heather Fridley (Todd), Ashby Taylor (Jordan), Tylar Marcum (Travis), Hannah Pauley (Jeremiah), Taber Burgdorf (Mekayla), and Harley Burgdorf; thirteen great grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; and his beloved beagle, Mylee and cat, Bo Kitty.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clifton Forge with Father Tom Collins and Father Dan Kelly officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Low Moor. Active pallbearers were Ashby Taylor, Taber Burgdorf, Travis Marcum, Jeremiah Pauley, Robert Hanna, and Mike Jolly. Honorary pallbearers will be Harley Burgdorf, Russell Peck, Todd Fridley, David Hall, Shannon Hall, Matt Delfert, Carter Allman, and Jerry Taylor Sr., as well as the 1971-1997 staff members of the Goshen Scout Reservation. The family visited with friends on Friday evening at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to your local SPCA, Special Olympics, or your local Boy Scout troop.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.