Obituaries

Kirkland Loses Huge Figure in Preserving History, Bob Burke

Bob Burke was former president of the Kirkland Heritage Society and led efforts to preserve the city's Heritage Hall and its 1935 ferry clock, among many others.

Former Kirkland Heritage Society president Bob Burke, a key figure in preserving the city’s history for more than two decades, died Monday at his Kirkland home.

Current society President Loita Hawkinson reported his death in an email to society members, saying he had been recovering from surgery. Kirkland historian Matthew McCauley also reported the death on his Facebook page.

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.

“If it hadn’t been for him, that building would have been rubble,” said Hawkinson. “Bob was at every city council meeting. There was opposition. It was his constant lobbying that finally got it moved.”

Burke was also involved in the recent restoration of Kirkland’s 1935 ferry clock, rebuilt last year and positioned once again at it original downtown site on the corner of Lake Street and Kirkland Avenue.

“Bob to me is sort of why we have such a deep understanding of our history,” said Kirkland City Council Member Penny Sweet, who worked with Burke on the city’s 2005 centennial. “He has held that society together for so many years and driven it. He’s such an important part of our community.”

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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