Walter Burkhard

On February 18, 2019, Walter Tennyson Burkhard died suddenly at his home in Grand Junction

at the age of 82. Born on December 18, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey, Walt was the third child of

William Lawrence Burkhard and Nellie Edith Tennyson. Colorado natives displaced by the Great

Depression, Walt’s family moved from coast to coast, returning to Colorado when his father was

hired at the Gates Rubber Company in Denver.

Walt grew up in Denver during World War II near Lowry Air Force Base, where he recalled

seeing many B-17s and B-29s flying overhead. He remembered witnessing a plane crash so

close to his home that he and his friends were able to run over to the site to watch the rescue

crews. The Burkhards instilled the love of the Colorado outdoors in their children (and still do!)

with frequent trips to the mountains. During his teens, Walt and his family would vacation at

Sunrise Harbor in Grand County where Walt met and courted Arlene Adams, the woman with

whom he would spend 63 years of marriage. Walt and Arlene were married in Denver on

October 1, 1955.

Certainly the time spent on the mountain lakes and fly fishing with his sisters and father

influenced him profoundly; Walt became a very proud “Aggie” at Colorado State University,

graduating with his BA in Icthyology in 1960 and a master’s degree in 1962. Walt worked for

many years in the field conducting research for the Colorado Division of Wildlife as an aquatics

specialist. Later he would work on programs like Fishing is Fun with CDOW, sharing his love of

wildlife and ecology with the youngest Coloradoans. He retired in 1992.

Walt’s family remembers him for following his interests with intensity and passion. Whether it

was slow-pitch softball, hunting, reading, fishing, or just plain old storying, Walt did it with gusto.

In retirement, Walt was free to pursue his many outdoor and agricultural dreams in Cortez,

Colorado, while running a small business with Arlene called Pelican Acres Alpacas. He grew

beautiful roses, bred and raised Alpacas, and hosted his grandchildren for many summers at his

alternative to summer camp---which was unusual and educational but enjoyable nevertheless.

We are grateful for the enthusiasm for life and learning he shared with us.

Walt leaves behind a large, loving, and eccentric family: wife Arlene; sons Daryl (Edith)

Burkhard of Erie, Colorado, Terry Burkhard of Palisade, Colorado, Michael Burkhard of

Palisade, Colorado, and Jon (Jolene) Burkhard of Grand Junction, Colorado; daughter Lyn (Jim)

Hazelhurst of Grand Junction, Colorado, sisters Nell (Lou) Fletcher of Deckers, Colorado and

Shirley Leigh of Dallas, Texas, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Walt was

preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Barbie (Mike) Burkhard of Palisade, Colorado in 2017.

Heaven just got a little louder, but also a lot smarter and interesting! His family will be holding

private memorial services at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation

to Hopewest Hospice of Grand Junction at www.hopewestco.org in honor of Walt and in thanks

for their support and excellent care.