Carl E. Burkhead

Carl Edward Burkhead was born on June 20, 1935, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., to Clifton Dallas and Mabel Burkhead. He was one of six children (not including an unnamed brother who died at birth): Kenneth Eugene of Kansas City, Mo. (deceased), Clifton Raymond of Grandview, Mo. (deceased), Eleanor Marie of Arvada, Colo., John Stephen of Troy, Ala., and Mary Francis Hull of Buckhannon, W. Va. Carl graduated from McCoy Grade School, Northeast Junior High, Northeast High School in 1953 (all in Kansas City, Mo.), Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1957 and the University of Kansas with a MS and PhD in Environmental Engineering, 1963 and 1966, respectively. He married Nancy Joyce Pollard on June 2, 1957, and they have two children, Jeffery Allen (Jennifer), born in 1959 and Carla Joy (Tim) born in 1961. He and Joyce have seven grandchildren: Deon Marie Prue, Michael Timothy Wilson, Carrie Grace Combs, Leah Joy Johnson, Clay Carlen Burkhead, Catie Jewel Burkhead and Chloé Hope Burkhead; eight great-grandchildren: Riah Jude Ostrander, Rade Howard Ostrander, Treson Carl Prue, Jorey Wayne Prue, Rowan Michael Johnson, Marlee Grace Prue, Tauren Joy Johnson, and Roman Guthrie Combs.

Carl worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. from 1957 to 1959 (including a six-month tour of duty in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers); and Midwest Research Institute from 1959 to 1962. After completion of his graduate degrees, he worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in Lexington from 1966 to 1969. He worked at the University of Kansas from 1969 to 2003 as an associate and full professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. After retirement, he worked part-time as a Professional Environmental Engineer for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment from August 2008 to June 2018. He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, Chi Epsilon and had two Fulbright Awards to Technion in Haifa, Israel, in 1987 and the Catholic University in Oporto, Portugal, in 1994.

Carl received Christ at age 12 and spent the rest of his life sharing Jesus. He is now with the Lord at the age of 88. He would like to thank all those who shared their lives with him. And he looks forward to when we will see each other once again, forever.

A Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. in Lawrence. A celebration service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at Rev City Church (formerly the Mustard Seed Church), 700 Wakarusa.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Douglas County Visiting Nurses for their loving and compassionate care of our husband/father.

Messages & Condolences

From Rick Ensz, PE, F.NSPE...

I was sorry to learn of Professor Burkhead’s passing and express my condolences to his family. He was one of my environmental engineering professors and I remember him as a gifted teacher with a passion for students. He always had a smile and kind word to say during our discussions.

From Hank & Mary Willems...

Joyce. We all will miss Carl & his thoughtful caring ways. You are one heart, one mind & one flesh in Jesus Christ. U know Carl was given a piece of your heart & is with his Heavenly Father, singing, dancing & praising Him. Until we are all one big Family in Christ again, Jesus is watching over U! One of God’s warriors will be missed by all of us!

From Pam & Bob Larson...

Joyce, Jeff & Carla- We’re holding you in our hearts these difficult days. Carl always was so welcoming, embodying such inclusion to all. We will always remember his infectious smile. May peace come to you.

From Michele D Cowger...

Carla, Joyce & Family, Am & have been praying, asking HOLY SPIRIT to encompass each of you with HIS comfort & HIS perfect peace into your spiritual hearts!!! May HOLY SPIRIT flood you all with warm, beautiful memories of Carl, his caring loving heart & his life he devoted to serve JESUS by serving, genuinely caring & reaching out to those GOD placed in his path!! Carl dedicated his life as a vessel to be useful for the GLORY of the LORD so JESUS within him was given reign to radiate out into this dark world, to bring JESUS’s LOVE to countless many through the TRUTH of GOD’s WORD & with actions that complimented the WILL of GOD, as best as he could in his life of surrendered obedience & humbleness before GOD!! Carl will be greatly missed here on earth, but may the loving deposits of JESUS TRUTHS that Carl left, live on to accomplish all GOD has intended from Carl’s fervent service!! May GOD cause those deposits to flourish, grow & be very instrumental in molding & shaping the lives Carl reached out to & served all for JESUS GLORY, in JESUS NAME, Amen!!! I thank JESUS for promising in HIS WORD:
“So will MY WORD be which goes forth from MY mouth; IT will not return to ME empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent IT.”
Isaiah 55:11
Also, I praise GOD that your separation from Carl here on earth will be very short in comparison to all eternity that you will have in the PRESENCE of JESUS with Carl in Heaven!!! May HOLY SPIRIT’s comfort hover over & within you in the days & years ahead as you cling to JESUS, to HIS WAY, to HIS WILL, in JESUS NAME Amen!!!
With my love & ongoing prayers for you, Joyce & your whole family,
Michele
💗💞🙏✝️🙏💞💗

From Joe and Vicki Hollowell...

Carl was a blessing to all who knew him! Love and prayers to you and the family

From Nancy Hedrick...

Carla, Joyce, and Jeff,

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Carl was a wonderful, supportive, positive, caring, and brilliant man! I have lots of fond memories of the entire Burkhead family when I was in high school and I spent a lot of time in their home. May the memories that you shared fill your heart with love, comfort, and strength.

With Heartfelt Sympathy,

Nancy

From Ruth Foster...

Joyce, Remembering good memories and time with you and Carl. May the Holy Spirit surround you during this time of recovery. Love and blessings.

From Michael & Joanne McMenomey...

We all sorrow in this great loss but greatly rejoice in the life that Carl lived so lovingly genuine. We never heard a negative word come out of his mouth, only encouragement with that big smile. A faithful man who can find? Well Carl was one for many decades. and all of us who had a season of life with Carl are the better for it. Thank you Carl for your faithful service to us and believing the best in us. May God comfort all of Carl & Joyce’s family with bountiful, beautiful memories until the Day we’re all together forever with our Savior! Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus!

From Leo and Nadine Politte...

Vaya con Dios good friend- our prayers and condolences to your family. We have been friends since 1957 when we met the Carl and Joyce in the Borger Texas . We all will miss the joy
And happiness this gentle person radiated.

From Judy Harkins...

The messages/condolences written certainly speak of the heart of Carl~ And they are just beginning. A friend said of him~A man with no aught. His photo (here) captures the genuine kindness and compassion and friendship of Carl-always with caring and concern. (And the twinkle in his eyes tells of the joy he exuded)…..Always thoughtfulness., a kind word and a reminder of Jesus Love. What he did -~his accomplishments~were with excellence. Since knowing him (long time) it is rare that the names Carl and Joyce were not thought or spoken of together. Carl is already oh so missed, And the many memories cherished. We know that Heaven had a spectacular welcome for such a remarkable faithful friend and servant. Joe and I appreciate knowing and are thankful for having Carl in our lives. Prayers continue for Joyce and each family member he loves so much and they so love him.

From Reece E. Wiley...

A fine man of God with never a harsh word for or about anyone. He and Joyce have always been a blessing to me and my kids. Jeff and Carla are living testaments to the spiritual man he was. Heaven has a new greeter–welcoming all believers.

From Brian Busby...

Carl was a wonderful man, always a glow and joy on his face to all he met. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment was the beneficiary of his expertise and professionalism.

From Helen Pendleton Rumbaut...

Praise God that Carl had put his faith in Christ and told others about Him. That is the best thing anyone can do! God bless all who mourn.

From Michael B Matin...

Jeff & Carla… you have my deepest condolences. I know how tough it is and is going to be. I lost my dad last year about this time. Just remember all of the smiles and laughs he gave you. Those are the most cherished moments that can ever be. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. ❤️

From Craig Adams...

I have many fond memories of Carl, first as one of my environmental engineering professors at KU and later as a colleague. He was an excellent engineer, exceptional teacher and he cared deeply for his students. I will always have so many happy memories of Carl and his warmth and quick smile. My heartfelt condolences for your loss.

From Brower Burchill...

Carl has been my friend for 55 years, and while I wish he was still with us I know he has moved on to be with his God. My wish is that Joyce and all his family will rejoice in Carl’s life and move ahead as he would have wished.

From Linda Royer Hyler...

I did not know your father, but my aunt, Marian Cox Fearing, corresponded with him regarding family genealogy as Marian’s mother (my grandmother, was Susie Burkhead Cox. Our sympathies!

From Tracy Dethloff...

Jeff, Sorry for your loss.

From Jeannie Krantz Gross...

What a wonderful Grandad! He lived a life well lived honoring Jesus! Grandad always had a smile and enjoyed his kids, their friends, grandkids and great grandkids. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I know he is rejoicing with Jesus.

From charles McPheeters...

Carl, your spirit is now with the Creator. I trust you are resting. The fog and dust are cleared from the mirror. God continue to bless Joyce and the extended family.

From Cathy Demers...

I am so grateful for Carl’s life as a witness of Christ’s love and steadfastness. Carl truly was an instrument of His Lord and Savior and I am thankful he is home with Jesus. Burkhead family- I love you dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

From Shelley Finnicum...

Dearest Joyce, I am so sorry to hear of Carl’s passing, but comforted knowing that I will see him again. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you, Jeff and Carla!!

From Bob & Patsy Moody...

Joyce and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Carl’s death. We always enjoyed Carl’s enthusiasm for life and his willingness to share it. Carl touched many people in so many ways and will long be remembered. Our thoughts are with you.

From Judy Cook...

Joyce, I was so privileged to meet you and Carl when I needed transportation to church last year. I was sorry to read of Carl’s homegoing in this morning’s paper, but rejoice knowing we will meet again. May God wrap His loving arms around you and your family and give you peace. Prayers for you and your family.

From Hugh and Mary Ellen Wentz...

We are saddened at Carl’s passing. May each of you find comfort in your great loss, and appreciation for the wonderful, godly man that Carl was on this earth.

From Bill Bider...

Joyce, over the past few years, I have grown closer to Carl through our regular lunch gatherings with Dennis. I have always appreciated Carl’s humble service to our Lord and his example to me of how to represent Jesus in the world. I pray God’s comfort and peace for you and your family during this difficult time.

From Mary Whitaker Davidson...

Joyce, I am sorry for your loss. Carl was such a wonderful person. He was so full of intelligence, wisdom, wit, and a dedication to God and family. I always enjoyed opportunities to have conversations with him. I appreciated his guidance. Your family is in my prayers.

From Dave Affalter...

To JOYCE & the Family, We are so sorry to hear of Carls passing…
He is with the LORD… Dave & Jean Affalter

From Vicki Goff-Miller...

So Sorry for your family’s Loss. Carl had a Heart of Gold and will be deeply Missed by all.
Sincerely Vicki Goff-Miller & Family

From Thomas V. Murray...

Carl Burkhead was a distinguished Professor of Engineering and a fearless advocate for his beliefs. He was possessed of a great deal of common sense, and was a beacon of light in a lockstep university community that in recent decades has become intolerant of differing points of view. May he rest in peace.

From Joe and Nancy Reitz...

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against your because of me. Matt 5: 10-11. Jesus promises that Carl’s reward will be great in heaven for his dedication to speaking and writing the truth. I always admired and respected Carl for his unflinching defense of Christianity in public forums. I know he is enjoying the fruits of his labor now.

From Gaye and Dennis Benjamin...

Dennis and I are sending you and your family deepest condolences at this time and lifting you in prayer. You all are loved by many.

From Rod and Diana Pringle...

So sorry to hear about Carl’s passing. Prayers to the family

Messages are closed.