Harold “H.O.” Burden: A Missionary Heart

Harold “H.O.” Burden was a U.S. Army veteran and a missionary in South America who gave back to his community for as long as anyone who knew him could remember. Harold seized the opportunity to make changes in every community that he was a part of, and the Southeast Portland area was no exception. “H.O. had a missionary-based heart and continued to volunteer even after he retired,” Ed Hoover, Harold’s friend and co-worker, recalled. 

Before his retirement, Harold spent time working with a smoking cessation support group, helping dozens of people quit the habit. Harold also supported healthy living through a program called CHIP, or Complete Health Improvement Program. Harold made his life’s work about improving the health of the community, even serving as the director of the Health Education department at Adventist Health Portland. Ed remembers Harold as being dedicated to whole-person health, including a person’s spiritual, physical and mental health, in true Adventist Health fashion. 

Larry Dodds, a former Adventist Health Portland president, reminisced on his time with Harold at the hospital. “Coming away from a meeting with H.O. left me marveling at his calmness and sincerity. He was a wonderful Christian gentleman who shared himself wholly with the community.” 

Volunteering with Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS) was another ministry that was close to Harold’s heart. His sister-in-law, Rhonda Bandy, recounted that when PACS had neighborhood dinners, she watched Harold talk with every person who came through the door. He switched easily to Spanish when needed, since he was bilingual. “Harold was a wonderful greeter at these events. He spoke so freely and lovingly with everyone he encountered,” Rhonda said. “He wasn’t expecting to leave a legacy, other than to be love, but his legacy is one of care and compassion.” 

Jennifer Dinucci experienced Harold’s love and compassion firsthand. Having met Harold in 1991 at the hospital, Jen remembers him as a mentor and grandfather figure. “In 2001, after the birth of my daughter, Harold had a plaque made for her with all her birth information on it. I still have that plaque to this day.” His thoughtfulness didn’t end there. Every year at Christmas, Harold would call Jen to wish her a Merry Christmas and see how her daughter was doing. 

Beyond all these traits, Harold loved to travel and make others smile. From his time in South America, to traveling with the CHIP program throughout the United States, to camping with his family, Harold loved adventure. Jen fondly recalls Harold’s cobalt blue tracksuit that he would wear during his “Stop Smoking” retreats each year. “Harold was funny like that – he found a bit and he stuck to it,” she said with a laugh. 

Harold shared his kind-hearted ways with many, so it comes as no surprise that Harold decided to leave a legacy to a cause that he cared for deeply: Adventist Health Portland. In his compassion and generosity, Harold left a bequest to the hospital’s Cornerstone Fund. This fund allows the hospital to strategically align donors’ gifts with hospital needs so that every patient can receive the whole-person care they deserve.  

Thank you, Harold, for your lifetime of giving to our community and for leaving a legacy that helps us to fulfill our mission to live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope.