Royal Huntoon Burkhardt

Loving husband, father, Scientific Advisor, engineer, and accomplished musician, died March 21, 2013 from myocardial infarction. He was 86. He is survived by six children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Royal and his wife, Mary, were married for 56 years, until her death in 2010. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Royal attended the University of Iowa, where he received his BS and PhD in electrical engineering (1950). He then worked for the Navy Electronics Laboratory in Point Loma, CA, followed by two years (1953-55) in the U.S. Army, relocating to Arlington, VA in 1954. After his discharge, he worked at the Department of Defense (DOD) as a Physical Science Administrator and a Scientific Advisor until his retirement in 1988. While at DOD, he attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, graduated in 1965, and later served on a NATO committee. He was also an avid photographer, serving as president of the local camera club and developing his own pictures for many years. While Royal received numerous honors as an electrical engineer at DOD, music was always his passion. As a trombone and euphonium player, he performed in numerous music ensembles, including symphony orchestras, concert bands, big bands, German and Dixieland bands, brass quintets, small jazz combos, and others in the D.C. area. He was admired by his fellow musicians for his outstanding musicianship, leadership, kindness, and gentleness. Visitation from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday, March 28; Funeral at noon at Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, VA. Burial at Quantico National Cemetery, 2 p.m.