Albert John Burky

Albert John Burky, age 82, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on August 9, 2024, following a stoic battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was born June 30, 1942, in Utica, New York, to Eva (Greer) and John Burky, the middle child between sisters Barbara and Carolyn. He grew up in Utica and Old Forge, where his family ran a restaurant and then a ski motel, and spent many summers on his beloved Sand Lake in the Adirondack Mountains.

From his roots in upstate New York, Albert went on to receive a B.S. from Hartwick College and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen (Griffin) Burky. After a whirlwind six weeks, they were engaged before Albert left for Caracas, Venezuela, to work on his post-doctorate for one year. Upon his return to New York, Albert and Kathy were married and immediately left for Venezuela on the first of many adventures together.

Once back in the States, Albert worked at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland before going on for an incredible 49 year career as a Biology Professor at the University of Dayton, retiring in 2022 at the age of 79. Raising four children, Michele, Stephen, Sarah, and Mark, Albert and Kathy enjoyed their new home of Dayton, Ohio, surrounded by many friends who became family. Albert’s research- and education based travels continued, at times including Kathy and his youngest children, to Hawaii, Palau, Costa Rica, and multiple other places all over the world.

Teaching and advising students and sharing his love of learning was one of his greatest passions and joys. He reveled in the wonders of the natural world and was the ultimate green thumb and personal gardener for all of his children. A gifted storyteller, he couldn’t wait to share an outrageous tale or a good laugh. In fact, he could literally talk your ear off as he was knowledgeable on just about every topic under the sun. He loved people and made friends everywhere he went.

If he could have stayed here on Earth, he would gladly have done so to spend more time with his family, friends, and loved ones, as they were, above all, his purest source of love and joy. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In his final hours, Albert made sure to note all the gratitude he had for the people who touched his life. In addition to his family, he specifically mentioned all the students, staff, and faculty at UD, dear friends and neighbors, and a special note of thanks to everyone at the Kettering Cancer Center and his oncologist, Dr. Higgins, for their “tremendous kindness.”

Albert is preceded in death by his parents, Eva and John; his sister, Carolyn; and his son, Mark. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his children and their spouses: Michele (Jim) Schoen, Stephen (Colleen) Burky, and Sarah (Kurt) Davis; his grandchildren: Drew, Ben, and Nate Schoen, Jack, Mo, and Erin Burky, and Sonia, Preston, Jean Luc, and Josh Davis; his sister, Barbara; many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; and Ginger, the canine companion who brought him comfort in his final years.

Please join us for A Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 15, at the Miami Valley Hunt & Polo Club, 2465 Keystone Club Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45439. Luncheon at 1 PM, with program to follow at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to the A. J. Burky Fund for Experiential Learning, which will allow UD biology students to gain hands-on experience in research and work with faculty who will guide and mentor them. To make a contribution, visit Make a Gift : University of Dayton, Ohio, https://udayton.edu/wesoar/give.php Select “Make a Gift Online” and type “A. J. Burky Fund for Experiential Learning (Endowment)” into the “Select Fund Designation(s)” field.