Barbara Burgwardt Hunter

Barbara Joanne Thomas Burgwardt Hunter passed away on Tuesday October 11, 2011, in her home. She was born June 17, 1932 in Greeley, Colorado to Velma Bennett and Clair C. Thomas and was the sister of Robert Clair Thomas.

On September 4, 1951, she married Dr. Lester C. Burgwardt in Greeley, Colorado where they met while attending Colorado State College. In 1954, they moved to Henderson, Nevada.

She is survived by their three children, Craig Thomas Burgwardt of Maggie Valley, NC, Kent Meyer Burgwardt of Rocky Hill, CT and Connie Ann Burgwardt-Odgers of Henderson, NV. Barbara and Lester also raised five foster children together, Rayburn Haddon, Robert Haddon, Becky Brown, Brenda and Joanie, as well as, Lester's oldest son, Lester Charles Burgwardt III.

During her lifetime, she attended Colorado A & M, earned an Associate Study degree at Colorado State University; a Bachelor of Science and a Master's Degree from UNLV. She did post graduate work at Berkeley, the University of Washington and University of Utah. She also earned an administration endorsement from Nova University in 1987. Barbara began her teaching legacy with the Clark County School District in 1970 as a science specialist at Robert E. Lake Elementary School.

Barbara earned many awards and honors over her life time: Life Membership in Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary Society; Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society in Education, The Liberty Bell Award presented by the Nevada Bar Association on Law Day 1984; Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher of America 1984; Nevada Excellence in Education Award 1987; Who's Who in Education; Master Teacher Award yearly 1970-1990, Distinguished Women of Southern Nevada; Outstanding Teacher of the Year.

In 1975, Barbara married Leon W. Hunter, also a teacher, with whom she developed a model program for team teaching which was implemented not only in the CCSD but nationwide.

During her 57 years in the Las Vegas Valley, Barbara devoted 30 years as an educator, administrator, consultant, teacher and student. In addition, she was a member of the Nevada Watercolor Society; Old Spanish Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Mesquite Club; Las Vegas branch of the National League of Pen Women; The Nevada Women's History Project; the Clark County Museum Guild; Nevada State Retired Teachers and RPEN; the Desert Willows Writers; and the Sun City McDonald Ranch Literary Guild.

Barbara adored her children and grandchildren. She leaves behind Craig and his wife Cherie, their daughter Calli Alexis; Kent and his fiancé Jen, their children, Sean, Evanna, Alysha, Michael, Chelsey, Nicole, and Nicholas and his wife, Maureen; and Connie and her husband Charles, their children Christopher, Cody, Chase, Catherine and CJ, his wife Diana, their children Aubrianna and Kasen.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Henderson Presbyterian Church, 601 N. Major Avenue, Henderson, Nevada 89015 on Friday November 4, 2011 at 2:00pm.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her family and friends.