Bob Burchard recovering from car wreck

Bob Burchard, a fourth-generation Gonzales native whose ancestors were among those who built much of the city, is recovering from a violent two-vehicle crash that had rumors circulating over the weekend that he had been killed.

Gonzales Police Capt. Allen Taylor reported that at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90A (Sarah DeWitt Drive) and Spur 146 (St. Louis Street), a 1978 Ford pickup driven by Burchard, 75, was struck by a 1998 Ford pickup driven by Jason Ray Perry, 26, of San Marcos.

The report said that Perry was westbound on 90A approaching the intersection of St. Louis, and Burchard, who was crossing 90A from St. Louis, failed to yield to the right of way at the marked intersection, causing Perry to strike Burchard’s truck on the passenger side door. The impact sent both vehicles off the roadway on the north side of 90A.

Perry was transported by EMS to Gonzales Memorial Hospital and treated for injuries, and Burchard was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio.

Mark Berry, Burchard’s son-in-law who was acting as the family spokesman from the hospital, informed the Inquirer by telephone that Burchard remains hospitalized, but is doing well and, based on quotes provided for well-wishers, still retained his unique sense of humor.

“He’s doing great,” Berry said of his father-in-law. “There were no broken bones and no neck injuries.

“He’s had a fun vacation in San Antonio,” Berry said, tongue in cheek, “and enjoyed the flight over.”

Berry said Burchard expressed gratitude that he was able to entertain the Gonzales community, and that “in the future, he will charge admission and it will be at Apache Field.”

As part of his recuperation, Burchard is also being tended to by a physical therapist. Berry could not confirm when Burchard would be released from the hospital.

Burchard, who made an unsuccessful bid for public office in the Gonzales mayoral race last spring, is involved in several community activities, including the Gonzales County Master Gardeners. He announced in October that he and the cast of “Gonzales … The Beginning” were stepping down from their long-running docudrama that provided the historical centerpiece to the annual Come & Take It celebration.

Burchard is an attorney in Gonzales and an ordained minister.