Scott Emmett Burtch
Obituary
Scott Burtch was not like other men. Born in Modesto, California on April 28, 1960 to parents Suzanne and Michael Burtch. Scott had both physical and neurological disabilities. His external appearance, to the untrained eye, spoke of limitations and difficulties. Yet he lived with such simple grace and joy that those who knew him saw a man of gentleness, kindness, humor, keen insight, and zest.
Scott loved many things – a good meal, a lively party, a pretty girl, a soft puppy, the morning paper, a festive holiday – but his chief love was Bay Area sports. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the San Francisco Giants, the Forty-Niners, the Golden State Warriors, the Oakland Raiders and A's. He celebrated their victories, astutely corrected their mistakes, shaking an oddly bent finger at the television, rested his forehead in his hands at their defeats, and always donned the appropriate jersey on game day.
He will be sorely missed by his father and stepmother, Michael Burtch and Carla Bolton, by his sisters, Dr. Merrianne Burtch, DVM, Jennifer Lynn, and Kelly Clawson, by his nephews, Cassidy and Ethan Rasmussen, and nieces, Madeline and Susanna Rose Clawson, and by the hundreds of friends and care takers who blessed his life throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New Direction Travels (https://www.newdirectionstravel.org/).
Published in The Pajaronian · March 3, 2026