Jon Herbert Burkman

Jon Herbert Burkman was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on November 8, 1944. He was the son of Charles Herbert and Helen Quayle Burkman. Known as Herb by his family and close friends, he graduated from Norwin High School, and thereafter continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he received his BA in Sociology and earned his Ph.D. in Economics and Asian Studies in 1977 as a National Defense Education Act fellow.

Herb began his career as an Assistant Professor of Economics with the Faculty of Professional Studies at Stockton College in Pomona, New Jersey, and thereafter with the Department of Business Administration of Monmouth College, New Jersey. Simultaneously, Herb began his career as a load forecaster in the Economics’ Department of Atlantic Energy.

While living in New Jersey, Herb met Alicia Ladrón de Guevara, the love of his life, on a blind date in Atlantic City. They were married on June 16, 1979. Herb became an instant father for Steve, Alicia’s son of her first marriage. On January 19, 1982, Herb and Alicia welcomed their beloved daughter, Vanessa, into their lives. In 1984 the family moved to Dallas, and Herb continued to work as a load forecaster in the Economic Research Department of Texas Utilities Electric Company. Throughout the years forward, Herb was a professor on a part time basis for Our Lady of Lake Weekend Campus, the University of Texas at Dallas, and he was an adjunct professor of Economics from June 2004 to 2017 at Southern Methodist University.

Herb began his own business in 1987, J. Herbert Burkman and Associates, which throughout the years has provided research and valuation reports for clients served throughout the world. Herb remained fully active as the leader of the business until the time of his unexpected death.

Herb loved classical music, and with Alicia having the same interests, they became members of the Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Musical International. Herb was a member of the Park Cities Rotarian Club. Herb and Alicia enjoyed reading, yoga, and traveling throughout the world. Some of Herb’s treasured memories over the years included family trips, river cruises with Alicia to different parts of the world, and in recent years he especially enjoyed sharing adventures with Alicia and his granddaughter, Annabelle, to historical cities and faraway places.

Herb never met a stranger, as he made friends easily. He also always made it a point to wave at every driver and passerby while walking his favorite dog Halley, who predeceased him on September 28, 2020.

Herb is preceded in death by his brother Tom and his parents. He is survived by his cherished wife, Alicia, children, Steve Price and Steve’s wife, Karen, and Vanessa Burkman and her partner, David, and his beloved grandchildren Annabelle, Lola and Abraham. He is also survived by his sisters, Jane and Susan, his brother-in-law, Phillip, and a wonderful array of nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday December 17th, 2020, from 6-8 pm at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home. A celebration of Herb’s life will be held at a later date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Dallas Opera in Herb Burkman’s name. Donations can be made by calling 214.443.1051, emailing [email protected], or visiting dallasopera.org/support.