Richard W. Burggraf

Richard "Dick" William Burggraf, a gentle soul and extremely talented musician, passed away on May 28, 2024, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, at the age of 68. He was born on December 5, 1955, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Dick was a quiet man, but faithfully sang in the Sanctuary Choir at New Presbyterian Church every Sunday as well as all their concerts.  He worked hard every year, keeping the harpsichord tuned so that the congregation would be blessed by hearing it in their Messiah Concert.

Richard Burggraf was part of an architectural legacy. His mother, Margaret R. Burggraf, was the first female architect to receive a professional state license in Broward County, and she and her partner ran a very successful architectural practice in Wilton Manors until they retired in 2005 in their 50^th year of practice. As a young man, Richard worked part-time at his mother’s office making blueprints and performing other support duties.

After high school, Richard attended the University of Florida to study architecture and later transferred to the University of Miami where he studied architectural engineering. After college, Richard returned to Broward County and worked for a few local architectural and engineering firms. 

In 1985, Richard started working with Architect Miguel F. Sanchez and quickly became an indispensable part of the firm, which is now named M. S. Architects, Inc. Richard’s knowledge of architecture and engineering helped the firm design and produce thousands of residential and commercial projects while providing much of the engineering design services in house.

Richard had a unique sense of traditional architectural and structural design and as a project manager was the lead designer on many of the firm’s projects. He was very creative and inventive and always had a practical sense of construction methods and costs of the ultimate end products.

Richard is survived by his Sister: Virginia K Johnson of Nashville, TN, and 4 nephews and nieces: Monica A Robertson (Mike) of Lebanon, TN, Scott A Johnson of Murfreesboro, TN, Chad Burggraf (Jennifer) of Phoenix, AZ, and Kathryn Burggraf Gehling of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret R. Burggraf, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, his father, George F. Burggraf, of Montrose, CO, his brother James C. Burggraf, survived by his wife Chris of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and his brother Charles R Burggraf, survived by his wife Holly of Phoenix, AZ.

The Funeral Service for Richard will be Saturday June 29 at the New Presbyterian Church 512 NE 26 Street. A gathering will be held at 3:30 PM with the services starting at 4:00 PM.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers that you send donations to New Presbyterian Church at 512 NE 26^th Street, Wilton Manors, FL 33305.

Richard will be dearly missed by all who knew him.