1940
Richard
2015
Richard Burkhart
July 1, 1940 — August 5, 2015
Richard Leon Burkhart, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away at his home on August 5, 2015. Ever the optimist, he refused to let his diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer eleven months ago dampen his spirit. He never complained or asked ‘why me’. Richard had a positive attitude toward life and a great sense of humor which kept him young.
He was born on July 1, 1940, in Topeka, KS, to Leon and Pearl (King) Burkhart. The most significant lesson he learned while growing up that carried him through life was persistence. His ‘never give up’ attitude was evident through his battle with polio as a young teen.
After graduating from Syracuse High School in Syracuse KS, he attended St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City for two years and then Emporia State University earning a BS in Education with an emphasis in Math in 1963. Richard taught in Topeka, KS, for 3 ½ years before beginning a thirty-year career at IBM; starting out in Kansas City, moving to St Louis, MO, then Wichita, KS, and finally retiring in Seattle, WA, in 1995. Once he officially retired, Richard and his wife, Connie, wintered in La Quinta, CA, followed by Marana, AZ, and enjoyed lots of sunshine and golf. He made many friends with each move and enjoyed keeping in touch with them all.
Richard never met a stranger and because of his gregarious spirit, he made everyone around him feel at ease. His eternal optimism, wit, generosity, and zest for life were an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of being part of his life. Richard’s twinkling blue eyes and infectious laugh were something to behold. He was an extraordinary man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
One of his greatest enjoyments later in life was attending his grandchildren’s school events, activities, and significant milestones. Richard was a fiercely competitive golfer and managed to ‘shoot his age’ at 72, 73, and 74. He was always eager to play his best game of golf and encouraged others to do the same. In addition to his love of golf, he was an avid Kansas City Royals baseball fan. Watching every Royals game through the 2014 playoffs and World Series made going through chemotherapy more bearable. Richard will leave behind many friends, especially those from Shadow Glen Golf Club in Olathe and The Gallery Golf Club in Marana, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Richard’s memory to RISE School of Houston, The First Tee of Greater Kansas City, or St. Paul Catholic Church, Olathe.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Pearl Burkhart. He is survived by his wife, Connie Burkhart; two sons, Kelly (Katy), Tucker (Danielle), and daughter, Stacie (Gary) Unruh; sister, LaVerna (David) Hill, eleven grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation with the family will be held at 6:30 pm on Sunday, Aug. 9 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Garden,11200 Metcalf Ave. Overland Pk KS 66210. A Rosary will follow. Funeral Mass will be held 9:00 am on Monday, August 10, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 900 S Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe KS 66061.
He was born on July 1, 1940, in Topeka, KS, to Leon and Pearl (King) Burkhart. The most significant lesson he learned while growing up that carried him through life was persistence. His ‘never give up’ attitude was evident through his battle with polio as a young teen.
After graduating from Syracuse High School in Syracuse KS, he attended St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City for two years and then Emporia State University earning a BS in Education with an emphasis in Math in 1963. Richard taught in Topeka, KS, for 3 ½ years before beginning a thirty-year career at IBM; starting out in Kansas City, moving to St Louis, MO, then Wichita, KS, and finally retiring in Seattle, WA, in 1995. Once he officially retired, Richard and his wife, Connie, wintered in La Quinta, CA, followed by Marana, AZ, and enjoyed lots of sunshine and golf. He made many friends with each move and enjoyed keeping in touch with them all.
Richard never met a stranger and because of his gregarious spirit, he made everyone around him feel at ease. His eternal optimism, wit, generosity, and zest for life were an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of being part of his life. Richard’s twinkling blue eyes and infectious laugh were something to behold. He was an extraordinary man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
One of his greatest enjoyments later in life was attending his grandchildren’s school events, activities, and significant milestones. Richard was a fiercely competitive golfer and managed to ‘shoot his age’ at 72, 73, and 74. He was always eager to play his best game of golf and encouraged others to do the same. In addition to his love of golf, he was an avid Kansas City Royals baseball fan. Watching every Royals game through the 2014 playoffs and World Series made going through chemotherapy more bearable. Richard will leave behind many friends, especially those from Shadow Glen Golf Club in Olathe and The Gallery Golf Club in Marana, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Richard’s memory to RISE School of Houston, The First Tee of Greater Kansas City, or St. Paul Catholic Church, Olathe.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Pearl Burkhart. He is survived by his wife, Connie Burkhart; two sons, Kelly (Katy), Tucker (Danielle), and daughter, Stacie (Gary) Unruh; sister, LaVerna (David) Hill, eleven grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation with the family will be held at 6:30 pm on Sunday, Aug. 9 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Garden,11200 Metcalf Ave. Overland Pk KS 66210. A Rosary will follow. Funeral Mass will be held 9:00 am on Monday, August 10, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 900 S Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe KS 66061.
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