Michael Burck

Michael William Burck passed peacefully from this life on October 2nd, 2020 under the gentle care of the staff at the Inpatient Care Center of The Denver Hospice. His death was the result of complications of end stage kidney disease.

Michael entered this world on a sunny Easter Sunday morning on March 28th, 1948 in Jackson, Michigan. He was the only child of William Edwin Burck and Loretta Marie Spurr Burck. He spent an idyllic, 1950’s childhood; surrounded by a village of Burck and Spurr relatives and enjoyed the company of several cousins, who were like siblings to him.

The first of several major milestones in his life occurred when his family re-located to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was in the ninth grade. This was followed, a year and half later, by the tragic death of his beloved father, during open heart surgery. The summer following his father’s death, his mother sent him to Falcon Camp in Carrollton, Ohio. There he was nurtured and supported by numerous staff members and enjoyed several summers, first as a camper and later as a Junior and Senior Counselor. It was at Falcon Camp, under the mentorship of many fine men, that his dream of becoming a teacher was born.

Mike attended National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois; where he benefitted greatly from the excellent core curriculum and lab school experience. However, he yearned to deepen his knowledge of science and transferred to Western Washington State College (now Western Washington University) in Bellingham, Washington during his Junior year. There he received a BA in Education in 1970.

As a newly minted Teacher, he began his career teaching children of migrant workers and Native American People in a summer program in Lynden, Washington. It was during that summer that he met Lorraine (Lorri) Rohner, who would later become his wife.

Teaching was his passion and he taught in inner city schools in Michigan City, Indiana for three years and spent 30 years teaching in the Cherry Creek Schools (Greenwood Village, Colorado). His most treasured memories were taking sixth graders to the YMCA Camp of the Rockies for a week long outdoor education experience in Rocky Mountain National Park. There he taught hands-on geology in Moraine Park and orienteering. He was on the cadre staff of Sagebrush Elementary School (1977) and opened Falcon Creek Middle School (2001) as chairman of the Social Studies Department. He taught in numerous elementary schools across the district, and spent many years at West Middle School. He especially enjoyed mentoring Student Teachers. In 2003, Michael was honored with a Distinguished Teachers Award and chosen as West Middle School’s Teacher of the Year 2002-2003.

In his retirement, Michael worked as a research assistant for seven years at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He loved being with his co-workers and found purpose in participating in three major medical research studies. He also volunteered at Parker Adventist Hospital in The Cancer Center and found deep pleasure as a volunteer at The Denver Hospice where he supported patients and worked in the Development Office.

Mike married Lorraine C. Rohner (Lorri Burck) on June 23rd, 1973. They welcomed their daughter, Megan into their family on May 15th, 1980. Mike was dedicated to his family and lived a quiet life of faith, always ready to listen and generously giving to friend and stranger alike. He loved reading and Big Ten college football (“M” Go Blue!) He cherished travel to Northern California, the Oregon Coast and Washington state. Over the years, Mike participated in many activities in the churches his family attended. Favorites included teaching Bible studies, participating in small groups and Sunday School Classes, and singing in the choir.

He will be deeply missed and long cherished by his wife, Lorri, and by his daughter, Megan Marie Burck-Pierce and his daughter-in-law, Angela Susan Burck-Pierce (Denver), as well as, his brother-in-law Greg Rohner (Linda Whitcher) of Olympia, Washington and Nephew Eric Rohner (Salt Lake City). In addition, he is also remembered fondly by his Aunt, Anita Burck (Ann Arbor, Michigan) and by numerous cousins across the country.

Michael will be interred in a private family service in the Foot of the Cross Courtyard of Calvary Baptist Church on November 7th, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a Celebration of Life Service for Michael will be held at a later date at Calvary Baptist Church of Denver.

Memorial contributions in Michael Burck’s name may be given to:

The Denver Hospice

Amy Davis Support Center

8289 East Lowry Boulevard

Denver, CO 80230

Or

Calvary Baptist Church of Denver

6500 East Girard Avenue

Denver, CO 80224