In Memoriam
Epitaph on my own Friend
An honest man here lies at rest,
As e’er God with His image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Robert Burns
On February 21, 2025, we lost one of our founding members and life member, Michael Spruill. He served on the board and was past Vice President of the society. Mike wore the McFarlane tartan (Spruill is a sept of McFarlane), representing the Clan of his Scottish ancestry.
Mike was born in Houston, Texas, on September 22, 1949. He graduated from Galena Park HS, where he excelled in football, baseball, choir and academics. He won a scholarship to play football at Rice University and graduated with a degree in business. Mike was recruited to work for IBM, where he flourished for 36 years, retiring as a sales executive. He met his wife, Ricki Silveria when on assignment in NYC. They were married for 41 years and have resided in Dunes West for the past 25 years. Mike was a member of the Saugatuck Yacht Club in Westport, CT, Past President of the Charleston Kennel Club, and a member of the Dunes West Country Club. Mike also belonged to the Harbour Club.
We thank Mike for all the contributions he made to the Burns Society.
diadhachd mike
“Godspeed Mike”
Sadly, the Robert Burns Society of Charleston reports that it lost a Life Member, Michael Robert Sudzina, December 6, 2022. His loving wife, Mary, and their daughters and families were by his side. Mike joined the Marines after graduation from Bucknell, served in Vietnam, placed in Command of Tango Security at Danang Airbase and honorably discharged at Captain Rank. His leadership abilities carried him through a successful Procter and Gamble career. Once he retired, he continued his involvement through generous voluntary roles as Chairman of the Board and Cofounder of the USS Yorktown Foundation. While at Patriots Point, he redesigned the Vietnam experience exhibit. He found time to join the Rotary, served as its President and was involved in many other community services.
Soon after joining the Robert Burns Society, he enjoyed several of its Tartan Balls. Part of the ceremony of the formal occasions included the presentation of the “the colors”: the flag of the United States, the Scotland National flag, The Royal Banner of Scotland (the Red Lion) and the state of South Carolina flag. Mike donated a beautiful set of flags and stanchions to the Society. He also joined as Life Member. His bigger than life personality and generosity will be missed.
In July 2021 we lost both a member of The Robert Burns Society of Charleston and a true friend. Donald Baxter left behind his wife Nancy, children and grandchildren. While Don has left us, he will not be forgotten. He had a true love of life. He was always smiling and laughing and truly enjoying every moment he had. He was proud to be Scottish. He was not only a Baxter from Scotland, but his grandmother was also a Douglas who immigrated from Scotland. Don was laid to rest wearing the Douglas Clan formal highland evening wear.