Obituaries

Celebration of Life Set for Saturday, July 6, for Bob Burke

Bob Burke, who passed away in May, was beloved for his role in Kirkland historic preservation efforts.

The families of Bob Burke, a celebrated Kirkland historian who passed away May 20, plans to hold a celebration of his life Saturday, July 6, at Kirkland Heritage Hall.

Bob and Barbara Loomis were instrumental in saving and relocating Heritage Hall to a city park just near their homes. 

A former urban planner, Burke was pivotal in several important Kirkland history efforts, including the 1999  acquisition by the city of the former First Church of Christ Science structure, built in 1921 and now standing as Heritage Hall at Heritage Park on Waverly and Market streets. He helped raise $250,000 for its purchase and restoration. Its basement now houses the Kirkland Heritage Society office.

Burke was also involved in the recent restoration of Kirkland’s1935 ferry clock, rebuilt last year and positioned once again at it original downtown site on the corner of Lake Street and Kirkland Avenue.

Burke was in his 70s, and was the recipient of numerous awards for his efforts at historic preservation, including in 2008 the Governors Advisory Council Chairman Award.


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