William E. Burke

Profile Updated: January 6, 2014

Residing In:	Kansas City, MO USA

Spouse/Partner:	Eliesabeth Luise (Mittring) Burke

Occupation:	Retired U.S. Army

Children:	Scott W. Burke born 1963 William M. Burke born 1965

Military Service:	United States Air Force

Comments:

Not long after leaving school entered the military
in 1962 and later married and father a son in
1963 and 1965. Sadly, the marriage was short and ended in 1967. Was stationed at a number of locations in the U.S., overseas assignments
consisted of two trips to Southeast asia, three
years in Berlin, Germany followed by three years
in Augsburg, Germany and served two years
in Stuttgart, Germany. While stationed with the
1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, Ks. I met my
present wife in Junction City, Ks in 1975 and
soon after in 1976 we were married. Eight months
after our marriage I received assignment to Germany for three years that turned into six. Then
we were assigned to our school Brigade at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. And our last assignment
was Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas where I retired from the Army
in 1984 after 22 years of service.
After retiring I took up road driviing and believe
after about 22 years of travel through out the U.S., have no desire to purchase an R.V. and travel. Presently stay in Missouri and Kansas and
vacation in Germany as we did this past June.
Since declaring myself officially retired I take
community classes and at present I am auditing a
German class at UMKC in the seniors program
($25 plus cost of books).
Life has treated me good and I look forward
to the class reunions and visiting with all.
A big thanks to all of you who have served in the military or were spouses of military people.
Bill Burke

6 January 2013
Since my comments above have travel a couple more times
to Germany and three or four times to West Coast.
Most importantly attended the 70th birthday party and
enjoyed it greatly.
Never mentioned I worked in the army as an intelligence analyst
and when I retired did not want to work for government or military.
But with much advise of what I should do, decided the route to go
on job selection was to select a job that fit my personality. Went to
our Fort Education center and took two personality tests. At
top was restaurant manager, lawyer, cadet, and truck driver.
Cadet of course would be something I'd like, but could hardly be
one at over 40 years old. Restaurant manager didn't sound to exciting
and lawyer , wondered if I'd be able to handle all the case studies
etc. The truck driving I new absolutely nothing about, but had
flown light aircraft over a thousand hours, and liked doing it, and had done
primary instruction for nearly two years. However, as much as I enjoyed
flying, it wasn't even at the bottom on my personality test. But
with the experience of operating planes, driving truck I could handle.
So, went to a driving school and was that ten percent of graduates
who went on to make a 2nd career of road driving, and very happy with
both my military career and truck driving career. Drove over 2 million miles
and never involved in a injury accident, never layed over or upside down.
And only had 10 or 12 accidents in 24 years of driving. Presently, drive
my wife where ever she wants to go.
At 70th birthday party folks gave me a hand for having served
22 years in the military. It nearly made me go speechless - and I failed
to thank them for the recognition. And most importantly, failed to thank
them for their service to society, be that military or civilian.
So, here is a big Thanks for all the service to society performed
by my classmates.
Bill Burke

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