Robert W. Burk, Jr. was a devoted community leader, highly regarded in the Parkersburg area and throughout the state of West Virginia. He served for many years as a member of the Board of Governors of the Foundation, and later served as Secretary after his election to the State House of Delegates. After Bob's death, the Foundation received many memorial gifts, which were used to create a permanent fund in honor of his service to this area.

Born in Parkersburg, Bob graduated from Parkersburg High School, Duke University, and the law school at West Virginia University. He was a successful attorney, and a member of the Burk, Myers, Zivkovich and Powell firm. He began his career working for his father at the firm of Burk and Bayley.

Bob served as the State House of Delegates Minority Leader. He was both a member and president of several organizations in the community, including the Parkersburg Rotary Club, the Parkersburg Country Club, the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, the Wood County Recreation Commission, and the Wood County Bar Association.

The Parkersburg Area Jaycees bestowed the club's distinguished service award on Bob for his dedicated membership. Bob was also a member of the BPOE 198, and he served on the Advisory Board of SW Resources, the Board of Directors at Commercial Bank, and the Board of the Parkersburg Boys Club. Bob also served on the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Sessions at the First Presbyterian Church, where he was a member.

Bob Burk was an exemplary leader in the community. He played an important role in the development of numerous organizations, and his professional work was respected by many. The Robert W. Burk, Jr. Memorial Fund continues Bob's work by supporting the causes and organizations in which he believed.