Long-time former Butler County coroner remembered for his compassion

Dr. Burkhardt died at his home Saturday a week after he had a stroke at a rehabilitation facility. He was 75.

Burkhardt, who retired in April 2012 after 32 years of service, was first elected coroner in 1979. The University of Cincinnati Medical School graduate also practiced family medicine in Hamilton from 1968 to 1992.

In a 2008 JournalNews profile, Burkhardt said he had investigated more than 9,000 deaths, attended approximately 4,700 autopsies and had investigated 336 homicides and 933 motor vehicle crash deaths.

Sally Poynter, who worked as Burkhardt’s medical secretary for nearly three decades starting in 1983, said Burkhardt’s defining traits were “his passion and his compassion for the people that he served.”

“He took his role very seriously,” she said. “The way he talked with people, it was as if they were his own relation. He was sympathetic and kind and yet stern and professional.”

Burkhardt also had a knack for changing the mood in the office, when need be, and was “an excellent teacher,” Poynter said.

“People don’t really like coming to the coroner’s office … however, once he started talking with them, he had a calming effect on the families,” she said. “He was such a good teacher that he was able to express and explain to them exactly what happened.”

“He wanted those people to make sure that they knew what happened to their loved ones when they left this office,” Poynter said.

In addition, Burkhardt often would acknowledge that “he didn’t work in a vacuum.”

“He appreciated all of the people who helped him do his job, like law enforcement, fire, the commissioners, all the office holders, nurses, emergency room staff, hospitals, doctors, all that,” Poynter said. “He knew that he couldn’t do his job without them and he made that well known. He was grateful for all of their help.”

Burkhardt married Marilyn Sanders in 1965. Together they had four children: Daniel, Penny, Rich and Jodie.

He served two years as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1967.

When he returned to Hamilton, he worked as an emergency room physician until he took up his private practice.

Rich Burkhardt said his father had a dry sense of humor.

“Until you got to know him, a lot of people didn’t know he was joking,” he said.

Besides his work, Burkhardt also was very much into cars, working on them in his spare time at a garage in Hamilton’s Lindenwald neighborhood.

“You know how most doctors like golf? He couldn’t stand golf. He worked on cars all the time,” Rich Burkhardt said.

He was also a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Hamilton.

“He was very strong in his faith and he incorporated that into his work,” Poynter said. “He would pray for these people, and I think that shows a softer side of someone in a career that sometimes has a reputation for being cold hearted. I’d walk by in the morning and he had a Bible in front of him, praying. I think that speaks volumes of his character and his commitment to the people who he served.”

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Avance Funeral Home, 4976 Winton Road, Fairfield. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept 12, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 171 Washington St., Hamilton.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Joseph School, 925 S. 2nd St., Hamilton, Ohio, 45011.