Dr. Daniel Burdick

Daniel Burdick, 96, formerly of Syracuse, NY, died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in Boston, MA. He was a general surgeon and surgical oncologist in private practice in the Syracuse community for nearly 50 years. A devoted physician, surgeon and oncologist; a passionate supporter of classical music and the arts; and an ardent reader until his last days, Dr. Burdick was an extraordinary healer who brought his expertise and compassion to all who sought his care.

Dr. Burdick left his imprint on the lives of everyone who knew him. “The world has truly lost a special person”… “a true gentleman”…”a Great Man: not just a nice man or a decent man, but a Great Man,” are just a few of the comments expressed by those whose lives he touched.

Born October 21, 1915, in Syracuse, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph and Bessie Burdick, and the husband of the late “Billie” Burdick for 61 years.

Dr. Burdick was raised in Syracuse, where he graduated from Nottingham High School. He received his A.B. from Syracuse University in 1936 and his M.D. from Syracuse University Medical College in 1940. He completed his graduate medical training in pathology and in surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City from 1940 to 1947 and in surgery at the Syracuse Medical Center from 1947 to 1948. He was named a Fellow in Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1950.

As a captain in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946, he was stationed on the Pacific island of Tinian as an Army surgeon during the final days of World War II.

Dr. Burdick joined the faculty of the Health Science Center in Syracuse as a clinical instructor of surgery in 1948 and was later promoted to clinical professor of surgery in 1969. He was director of University Hospital’s Tumor Clinic and served as the director of the Central New York Cancer Registry from 1955 to 1975. Dr. Burdick served on the medical staffs of the major Syracuse hospitals, and his private surgical practice has grown to become one of the premier general surgery practices in Central New York. Many of the surgical techniques in use today were pioneered by Dr. Burdick.

As coordinator of cancer teaching at the Health Science Center, Dr. Burdick was a role model for both his colleagues and his students. He was a dedicated physician-educator with a strong commitment to the personalized care and caring of the cancer patient. Dr. Burdick was the author or co-author of numerous articles regarding the diagnosis, evaluation and management of cancer.

Dr. Burdick held memberships in numerous prestigious professional societies and community organizations, and also held leadership positions with the American Cancer Society at the local, state and national levels.

Outside his professional career, Dr. Burdick had an exceptional love of classical music and the performing arts. He served as a member of the board and Executive Committee of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra for many years, and was chairman of Music Director Search Committees and the Executive Director Search Committee. He was also the founder and past president of the Central New York Performing Arts Medicine Association. He and his wife were avid supporters of the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival in Marlboro, VT, for 50 years.

Surviving are his five children, Amy Burdick of Chestnut Hill, MA, Janet Burdick Rosen of Newton, MA, Joseph Burdick of Lakewood, CO, David Burdick of Edwardsville, IL, and Lisa Burdick Yoder and husband Albert W. of Treasure Island, FL. Dr. Burdick is also survived by three grandchildren, Althea Burdick, Kimberly Rosen and Jessica Yoder; a younger brother, Arnold Burdick, of Hilton Head, SC.