Robert Todd Burnham

Robert Todd Burnham, age 58, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in his home. He was born September 17, 1960 to Jean and Merrill Burnham in Orem. He had one brother, Jeff Burnham, who passed away in 2016. Todd and Jeff grew up in Orem. Their dad passed away on July 25, 1972. Jean later remarried Garn Mecham in 1976.

Todd graduated from Orem High School in 1978. He then met Verleen Carter in 1979. True soulmates, they fell in love. Verleen had a 6 month old daughter, Shannon Marie, whom Todd raised as his own. Todd and Verleen got married on May 2, 1980 and had a son, Merrill Tyrel Burnham, together in 1983.

Todd worked numerous jobs: a cook at Village Inn, built Tuff Sheds, Signetics while attending UVCC−earning his Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He graduated around 1990, and went to work for Taylor Electric as a master electrician. He could build a house from the ground up if you needed, and his handy work showed in their homes over the years. He remodeled everything to make it their own.

Todd was also an avid hunter. He knew the mountains like the back of his hands. He never owned a cell phone, and always left written instructions of where he was at. He could spend days just driving his four-wheeler, and every August to September he was a bow hunter. Todd was a very skilled archer; the bow hunt was everything.

Todd coached baseball for Ty from t-ball through little league and city league. He took those boys under his wing and thought of them as his “sons”. He led them through state championships in Colorado, Minnesota, and Utah. Coaching was his passion. He even coached an adult team after Ty was out of high school, and then he, Spencer, and Ty moved on to golf. They continued to golf in tournaments in Mesquite and Wendover, to name a few. Spencer remained close with Todd and Ty from the baseball days to now. He was the “other son”.

Todd and Verleen made their home in Orem and helped raise their four amazing grandkids, Aubrey, Chloe, Gavin, and Aiden. Sleepovers every weekend, “Papa’s Screamin’ Eagle Daycare”; he even answered the phone that way. Home Depot Saturdays. To this day, the boys still had sleepovers every other weekend. Papa is who these kids counted on to drive them everywhere.

The girls had Papa take them all over the place. He taught Aubrey to drive, and Chloe went on a job with him once to learn how he worked. They were always together.

Todd had the gift of gab. He could talk for days about hunting, golfing, baseball, four-wheelers, himself, work, anything. He was loud and swore more than any other word, but everyone still loved him, sailor mouth and all. He had a heart of gold and was someone you could count on.

He retired early from his electrician trade due to illness and injury but that didn’t stop him from doing anything. He was still there to remodel and build.

He and Verleen loved spending time together. Riding bikes, grandkid time, yardwork, and watching movies. Todd loved to cook and made a mean pizza. Todd and Verleen were a perfect match. She was his “Sweetie”. In fact, mostly everyone had a nickname. Daughter, Shannon, “Punkin”; they bow hunted together. He loved that time together. Son, Ty, “Ears”; granddaughter, Aubrey, “Aubs” or “Golden Child”; granddaughter, Chloe, “Chlo Chlo”; grandson, Gavin “Gavster”; grandson, Aiden, “Jethro”; all were the light of his life. Everyone else went by last names. He was loved by all.

Todd is survived by his mom, Jean Mecham, St. George; wife, Verleen Burnham, Orem; daughter, Shannon (Tony) Hopkins, Spanish Fork; son, Ty (Katrina) Burnham, Orem; step-siblings, Steven (Alice) Mecham, Lake Shore, Doug (Rosemary) Mecham, Springville, and Shauna (Frank) Hatch, Woodland Hills; four amazing grandchildren, and millions of amazing friends. He is preceded in death by his dad, step-dad, brother, and grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Berg Mortuary of Orem, 500 North State Street. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6 until 8 and on Friday morning from 9:45 until 10:45. Interment, Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to help with funeral costs.