Herbert M Burks Jr.

Haslett, formerly of East Lansing

Herbert McDaniel Burks, Jr. was born in Princeton, West Virginia, on October 20, 1927, the only child of Herbert M. Burks, Sr. and Alma L. Seay Burks. He died of natural causes at the age of 84 on May 17, 2012. Herb was a true gentleman, in every sense of the word, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Herb’s youth was spent in Princeton, West Virginia and Roanoke, Virginia. He was a high school teacher and school counselor in Virginia after having served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict.

He received post secondary degrees from Roanoke College, the University of Virginia and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Herb was a professor at Michigan State University in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology for 25 years, retiring in 1994. The students he inspired will remember him fondly.

During his retirement years, Herb continued to consult, largely on a pro-bono basis, with other counselors, psychologists and attorneys, on matters of individual psychological assessment and professional ethics. Herb was a long time member of Peoples Church in East Lansing. He loved playing the guitar and the harmonica, listening especially to classical and folk music, collecting model trains, and the simple joys of nature and animals.

Herb is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary; his children David, Laura, and Valerie; and his grandchildren Sam and Caroline. His traits of kindness, generosity, wisdom, and loyalty will forever keep him in our hearts.

A celebration of his life will take place in June and will be announced at a later date.

Per Herb’s wishes, his ashes will be released in West Virginia, in the vicinity of New River Gorge, near the mountains, streams, and railroad tracks of his childhood and youth.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make donations to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906 or the Salvation Army, 525 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 in Herb’s name.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com