COLONIE — A lover of his family, his dogs, and his Harley, Charles “Chuck” J. Burchhardt  died doing something he enjoyed. He died on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, while riding his motorcycle on a charity run. He was 73.

Mr. Burchhardt was born on Feb. 14, 1943, in Motague, Massachusetts, but spent much of his childhood in Schenectady. He attended St. Adalbert’s School and later Mohonasen High School, said his wife, Sally Burchhardt. After high school, he served in the Army National Guard from 1961 to 1967.

During his years of service, he met his future wife at a dance; they married in 1964. They later moved to Colonie and he began working for UPS, from which he would eventually retire.

Mrs. Burchhardt says her husband began riding motorcycles at a young age, from his early 20s if not younger. The Burchhardts would occasionally take trips on their bike with three or four other couples to places like Great Sacandaga Lake, Saratoga, Lake George, and Vermont. At the Mount Snow resort in Vermont, the couples would ride there not for the skiing, but to relax in the resort’s heated pool.

Mrs. Burchhardt would ride on the back of her husband’s bike, but says that she never rode on her own.

“He hated the way I drove a car and I’m sure he would hate the way I drove a motorcycle,” she said.

Eventually she would stop riding as she got older and had grandchildren to worry about, and so Mr. Burchhardt got himself a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was a registered member of the Albany-Schenectady chapter of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), according to Tom Kretsos, chapter director. His wife said that although he did not go on longer routes, he would go on regional rides and also would ride for charity runs like the Altamont American Legion Riders’ charity Poker Run as well other rides to raise funds for ailments like Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr. Burchhardt was a father of three, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather to one. His wife described him as a great husband and grandfather, as well as a father who used to take his two sons to motocross races. He also owned two West Highland white terriers, Rosie and Oliver.

“They miss him immensely,” said Mrs. Burchhardt.

****

Mr. Burchhardt is survived by his wife, Sally; his children, Tom Burchhardt and his wife, Diane, Jackie Perry and her husband, Wayne, and John Burchhardt and his wife, Tracy Williams Burchhardt; his eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson. His parents, John and Marie Burchhardt, died before him.

Calling hours will be held at New Comer Funeral Home at 343 New Karner Rd in Albany, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a service to immediately follow.

— H. Rose Schneider