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Barry Burkhart Obituary

Barry Burkhart, 63, long time member of the editing staff of The Arizona Republic, died Saturday at his home in Peoria. Mr. Burkhart was a copy editor for The Arizona Republic where he had also served as Sports Editor, and Outdoor Writer. He joined the staff in 1977 when he moved to Phoenix from Topeka, Kansas. He was born November 4, 1942, in Chanute, Kansas, and spent his early years in Great Bend, KS where he attended schools. He moved to Ellsworth, KS in 1959 and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1960. Mr. Burkhart attended Southwestern College in Winfield, KS one year and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan College in Lincoln in 1964. He was on the editorial staff at Lincoln Star Newspaper from 1964 to 1966 when he moved to Topeka, KS. Mr. Burkhart spent 11 years on the Sports staff of Topeka capital-Journal newspaper, most of those years he served as head outdoor writer, and also covered area high school and college sports. He moved to Phoenix in 1977 to begin work on The Arizona Republic. He was a charter member of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Glendale, AZ and had served as a church officer. He married Sharon Kruger on August 31, 1961, in Ellsworth, KS. They were married 30 years before they were divorced. Also surviving are a son, Matt Burkhart, Surprise, AZ; daughters, Sydney Peterson, Advance, NC and Jennifer Allen, Huntington Beach, CA and seven grandchildren.
Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be at 6:30 pm Wednesday at Heritage Presbyterian Church at 5830 W. Greenbriar Dr., in Glendale, AZ. Memorial contributions will be made to The American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org).
Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N 59th Ave in Glendale, AZ will be in charge of the arrangements.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Sep. 19, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Barry Burkhart

25 Entries

Glen Mishkin

March 26, 2025

I know it's been almost 20 years but I just saw the article.. I met Barry when I first went out with his daughter Sydney in Phoenix in1980.... although he had a teenage beautiful daughter he treated me great.... I felt like part of the family with Sharon, Sydney.. Matt.. (van healn) and the little four-year-old Jennifer.. I haven't spoke to any of them and decades but I did see this article and I had to say something..
Glen Mishkin

Robert Powelson

September 20, 2024

I had a flashback memory of Barry just a couple days ago. he just a block away was a childhood friend from age 5 through his sophomore year in Great Bend, KS when he moved away. Years later we connected again when I moved to Topeka, KS. in the early 70's and go to meet his family. I moved to Ohio a couple years later and lost touch. In 1987 I moved to the Phoenix area. Imagine my surprise when I first read a local newspaper and there was his photo as sports editor. We got together a few times but living on opposite sides of the big city it wasn't often enough. Rest in Peace Barry.

Rita and David McCall

October 2, 2006

We are thinking of all of you, what a hard time you must still all be going through. We all loved your dad and will always remember him with a smile on our faces. We love all of you and think of you often. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Aunt Rita and Uncle Dave.

Rita McCall

October 2, 2006

Rita and David McCall

Blaine Dumler

September 23, 2006

I remember a few years after the divorce, going to visit my cousin Sydney at her mom's house back in 1996, only to be pleasantly surprised to see my Uncle Barry at the house. I don't get a chance to see much of anyone in the past twenty years I've been away in the US Army, but I will never forget that time. It was after the divorce, but he still held genuine love and affection for his extended family... He will truly be missed by all who his life touched... My thoughts and prayers are with the family... Love, Blaine

Carol Samuelson

September 22, 2006

To the Burkhart family~

I worked with Sydney it seems like years ago and always loved the great stories she had to share about her Dad and their adventures. I was so shocked to read about him in the paper this week and wanted to reach out to you but didn’t have an address or phone number, so hopefully you will get this message. I’ve been thinking about all of you and saying prayers for comfort and a knowingness that lots of people are there to help you along the way. My sympathies are with you!

Sue Kruger

September 22, 2006

Barry! What a great guy, we celebrate your life. You gave Glenn and I so much support when we were dating, We admired your enthusiasm, your family, your creative writing, and your friendship. You will be missed. Hugs to Syd, Matt & Jen in your time of loss. Sue

Glenn Kruger

September 21, 2006

Just sitting here getting tears in my eyes reading all the nice entries. Barry was one of those unselfish great guys you meet once in a lifetime. Ex brother in law or not he always was and still is a big brother to me.

Ken Leiker

September 21, 2006

I first met Barry more than 30 years ago, and in all that time I have never come across anyone who disliked him. We should all aspire to complete our lives with such a distinction. Barry was as kind and considerate a person as I have had the pleasure of encountering. He saw good in many things where the rest of us didn't think it existed. And he was a marvelous story-teller -- I'll never forget his recounting of the day in Topeka when Matt's snake got loose and crawled into the couch, and Sharon was so terror-stricken she could hardly get words out to explain the situation. Barry was the Outdoor Writer at the Topeka Capital-Journal, and we used to amuse ourselves on late-night office shifts by calling the Great Bend newspaper and asking for John Badway, the Outdoor Writer. John would not be in the office, so we'd ask to leave him a message, and Barry would squawk off a duck call. Well, it seemed funny at the time. Barry was one unforgettable character. We will miss him greatly, and that is a fine testament to any person. As Lionel Tipton said earlier, say hello to Stan Wilson and Bob Hentzen for us, Barry, and Bill Mohr and Lloyd Herberg, too. Like Barry, they also were great ones who left us much too soon.

Bill Gwinner

September 20, 2006

Barry and I had the best times, I think when we were fixing something. We put a water pump on in 110 degree heat in the parking lot downtown, completely tore a Toyota carbureator apart and only had a couple of screws left. We had a lot of fun fishing, fixing and just messing around. It won't be the same. It wasn't quite the same after he and Sharon divorced, but Lila and I usually tried to see him when we were in Phoenix. Sydney, Matt and Jenni and families, we are sure thinking of you guys.

Bill & Lila

Jannine (Jan) Thorne

September 20, 2006

Uncle Barry was a large part of my extended family experience growing up. He was one of the most intelligent individuals I have ever known. His laugh was infectious, and I remember him laughing a lot. He was the first person I knew who listened to the band Kansas. I will always picture him in a t-shirt and shorts, enjoying the "dry heat" of Arizona.

Karla (Dumler) Bennett

September 19, 2006

I was saddened by the news about Uncle Barry. I have some fond memories: Fishing in his boat in Minnesota, swimming in their pool during family vacations to Arizona and when I introduced him to my husband, he knew all about the KCAC (the conference Jeff competed in) even though he was living in Arizona. Much love to the family! Rest in peace, Uncle Barry.

Pat Noll

September 19, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with Barry's family. It is hard when we

loose loved ones. Pat Dick Noll, Classmate of Barry

Don and Marilyn Dumler

September 19, 2006

Sydney, Matt, Jenny, Thinking of you all with love and hurting for you too. Barry was a dear brother in law for many years, no longer in our family, but always in our hearts. As we talk with other family members, the many funny stories come to mind and we remember with fondness and laughter. God bless you all with His comfort and peace. Love, Uncle Don and Aunt Marnie

Barbara Fisher

September 19, 2006

Just wanted to say Barry was the FUNYAN King!!! We had many good times when they lived here in Topeka and many good laughs. Matt, Sydney and Jennifer we grew apart when you moved but I still have pictures! would be fun to get together with all of you again. And thinking of you also Sharon and the fun times we had. Barry was quite a guy!

Randy Dumler

September 19, 2006

I have many fond memories of my Uncle Barry, But one of the best was when my dad and my Uncle Bill sunk the "Carp Buster" while on vacation in Minnesota that will always bring a smile to my face. I will see you in the hereafter.

love "goodyear". Randy Dumler

Guy Finney

September 19, 2006

I was sad to read that Barry passed away, and as I lost my mother a year ago this month I know how hard it is for the surviving family members. Before he moved we were the last two original homeowners in the Rancho Encanto neighborhood. Barry always seemed to have a remarkable vitality that I envied. Always looking forward to the next adventure, rather than backwards at what he'd already done. He got a lot out of life and that should serve as an inspiration to everyone.

Lionel Tipton

September 19, 2006

Barry hired me right out of college. He will always be special to me as the person who gave me my first full-time job in journalism when I joined the Republic's sports copy desk in 1979. I am now teaching at a community college, and this would not have been possible had it not been for Barry. Rest in peace, Barry, and tell Stan Wilson and Bob Hentzen "hello" from me.

Roger Novak

September 19, 2006

What a great guy! I always enjoyed him. When he would come to Ellsworth, he would always look me up to caught me up. We would laugh and laugh. I will always remember Barry

Sharon (Schneider) Nye

September 19, 2006

My thoughts are with Barry's family and friends today. He was a fun and friendly classmate.

Brian Wharton

September 19, 2006

Barry and I had many conversations outside the Republic building. What a great guy!!

Robert Powelson

September 19, 2006

I have fond memories of Barry. Our paths crossed in many towns. We grew up a block apart in Great Bend, Kansas, and were best of friends until he moved away in 1958. We met again in Topeka, Ks in 1970, and then once more in Phoenix when I moved here in 87. What I remember most is the help he gave in Topeka when I was having a rough time. Thanks Barry. God Bless You.

Judy Toman

September 19, 2006

Many of the Ellsworth (KS) High class of 1960 are thinking of Barry's family today. Plus, we remember so many good times we had with Barry. May God comfort you, the children and grandchildren . . . . . . . . . . .

He will be missed!

Derril Gwinner

September 19, 2006

Our prayers are with Barry's family and friends. We have not been in touch with Barry for several years but have found memories of his wit and humor. We stood up for Barry and Sharon.

Derril & Roberta Gwinner-Ellsworth

John Grothusen

September 19, 2006

Thoughts and prayers are with Barry's friends and family. family. I have fond and fun high school memories of Barry and Sharon. John Grothusen (EHS '60) Fremont, NE

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