The Life of ROBERT EUGENE BURKHART
Robert Eugene Burkhart, age 85, of Des Moines, went to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 17, 2010. On December 6, 1959, he asked Jesus Christ to forgive him from his sins and be his Savior. That was the day he really began to live a life that would never end. His passion was to tell everyone he met, that God loved them. In the Bible John 3:16-18 states, ”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
He enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, teaching, fishing for fish, and fishing for the souls of men. He taught in the Iowa public school system for 35 years before retiring, then returned to teaching at age 75 for an additional 9 years. He loved helping students reach their full potential in every area of life. Bob served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was on several ships, including the USS Cape Gloucester. Bob was a member of Norwoodville Baptist Church in Des Moines.
Bob married Maude Eckard, the love of his life on Valentine’s Day in 1953. He is survived by Maude; their children, Mary Larsen (Rob), Bob Burkhart (Kathy), and Ron Burkhart (Helen), ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, all of whom he dearly loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister, and grandson.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, October 19, at Grandview Park Baptist Church, 1701 E. 33rd Street at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:30 p.m. before the memorial service.
Graveside services will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Ave., Des Moines.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Bob Burkhart Memorial Fund for various worldwide, Christ-honoring missions projects chosen by the family.