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Victor Burkhammer Obituary
VICTOR STEPHEN BURKHAMMER, retired news editor of The Charleston Gazette, died on December, 31, 2024, at age 74.
He graduated from St. Marys High School in 1968 and earned an A.B. and M.A. in English from WVU. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church Charleston, where he was a deacon. He served a three-year term on the Manna Meal board. He was a 42-year friend of Bill W and served on the board of the world-famous Serenity Club in Dunbar, WV. He was employed by The Charleston Gazette for 35 years including 25 years as news editor. He was a member of the editorial board for several years.
Survivors include wife of 38 years, Nancy; two brothers, Andy and Luke; sister, Jill Hornish; and three nieces and three nephews. He was a cat dad to Walter, Arthur, Rocky, Frank, Frank II, Kalley Kat, K.T. Kitty, Felicia, and probably his favorite Al E. Cat.
He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Peggy Burkhammer, brother Dana, sister Jan Howell, and many friends.
He wrote a poetry blog called "Mountain Word" and published a chapbook of 15 haiku on Issuu. His broadsides, lyrics, prose poems and empathetic works appeared in a few small press magazines and some self-published. He produced some videos including "Monkey's Raincoat" after Basho, an introduction to haiku on YouTube. He was proud of his small role helping Mike Youngren with Volunteer Video projects including "Elk River Blues," a water crisis documentary, and "Laotong Yoga," about Sue Julian and Barbara Steinke taking a yoga program to men and women in prison.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, with the Rev. Dr. William C. Myers officiating. Visitation will begin an hour before the service.
Donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston; or the Kanawha Valley Fellowship Home, 1121 Virginia St. E., Charleston.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.
Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Victor Burkhammer
5 Entries
John Anderson
October 31, 2025
Vic will be missed. We worked together, first in Parkersburg and then in Charleston.
Terry Price
January 5, 2025
What a gentleman. I am sure that he and Irv are having a great laugh together.
Nancy C Gainer
January 4, 2025
I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Victor, my late husband Bob Gainer was his cousin. I'm so sorry for your loss, I got to meet him and his family once, and he was a good man. Please know I'm praying for you and the family for peace during your time of loss. Nancy Gainer
Nancy C. Gainer
January 4, 2025
I'm so sorry for the loss of Vic for his family. My husband Bob Gainer was a cousin of his, who died last year in July. I'm glad I got to meet him once, he was a really nice man, and he and Bob kept in touch by phone over the years, and he called me after Bob died. My condolences to the family for your loss. Nancy Gainer
Joe Deegan
January 4, 2025
Vic was the definition of kind! He lived a life of humility in his recovery, was soft spoken, steady and always approachable. I will miss him as a friend and ardent, long suffering WVU fan. We shared experiences in Morgantown and closed down the Fox Bar on many occasions. When we reconnected in Charleston, we both secretly wondered (about each other), "how did he survive those days?". By then Vic was already sober and I was still living in a delusion. His example always brought me hope. Thankfully we've been able to share many years together as Friends of Bill.
I miss you Vic but am assured that you are now enjoying a Fellowship that surpasses anything we can imagine!
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