Leonard Burkhart Memorial Page....

A notifying letter forwarded to me from an aquaintance of Len, Charlie Gerancher - dated 03 July 2018: Good Day, My name is Charlie Gerancher. I'm a teacher in Whitehall, PA. I am writing to let you know of the passing of Leonard Burkhart. I found your contact information on the USS Leahy web site where "Mr. B" as he was know here to our students, had photos posted. I am concerned because the news article about his death also said that the coroner was searching for next of kin. This was a man who deservers a full honor funeral both for his active duty and his activities as a civilian. Recently, he with some of our HS students, replaced over 1000 flags on veteran graves in a local cemetery. As a substitute teacher, he was loved by our students. He also made a personal gesture to me because he knew of a family member, Charles Gerancher, who served in WWII and honored him specifically in a video that was created by our students during the flag replacement. I'm hoping that someone can make sure Mr. B receives the honor he deservers. I have included a link below to the news release of his death. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. BTW, I did contact an Allentown VFW post, but they really didn't seem to be able to help. Here is the link: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=leonard-w-burkhart&pid=189461260&fhid=9614 Thank-you for your help, Charlie *Charlie Gerancher **|** Technology Instructor **|** Technology Integration Coach* *|** Steckel Elementary School *

Leonard W. Burkhart Obituary Published in Morning Call on July 4, 2018 (The Morning Call - Allentown, Lehigh Valley & Pennsylvania News) https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=leonard-w-burkhart&pid=189461260&fhid=9614

QMC Leonard W. Burkhart USN-RET, 70, of Allentown, PA passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Twp. Born in Allentown, he was the son of Doris (Ettl) Burkhart Kale of Spring City, PA and the late Frank R. Burkhart and he was a step son of the late Lester E. Kale. Leonard was a professional photographer and owner of Allentown Custom Photography and a dedicated substitute teacher in many local districts. Proudly serving his county during the Vietnam Era, and serving with the Navy Reserves, Leonard received his certificate of retirement from the Armed Forces on April 23, 2008 (40 years of US Naval Service). He was an active member of various veteran organizations including the Greater Allentown VFW Post 13. He was a graduate of East Stroudsburg University, where he played football and later continued to be a sports team photographer. Leonard was a loyal and devoted member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Allentown, where he was deeply loved. He was a world traveler who had a heart of gold, whether he was tending to his neighborhood cats, mentoring his students or even his love for Philadelphia sports teams. Survivors, mother Doris; sister Jane E. and her husband James Fritchman of Effort; nephew Richard; niece Christina and her husband Eric Serfass; nephew Andrew Fritchman and his wife Karen; great niece Kayle and great nephew Jameson; step-sisters and their families. He was predeceased by his brother Frederick and sister and brother-in-law Kathleen D. and Dennis Deutsch. Services, 11:00 AM, Monday, July 9 at Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 W. Highland St., Allentown. Calling will begin 10:00 AM Monday with graveside military honors following the services at Highland Memorial Park, Allentown. Additional calling hours on Sunday, July 8 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. www.trexlerfuneralhome.com Contributions can be made in his memory to an animal charity or a veteran's organization of one's choice.

Lehigh County Coroner seeks next of kin for 70-year-old man Updated Jul 1; Posted Jul 1
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/index.ssf/2018/07/lehigh_county_coroner_seeks_ne_5.html
By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com, For lehighvalleylive.com The Lehigh County Coroner's Office is seeking the next of kin for a 70-year-old Allentown man who died Sunday afternoon of natural causes. The man is being identified as Leonard W. Burkhart. Burkhart was pronounced dead at 2:39 p.m. Sunday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. Anyone with family information of Burkhart is asked to call the Lehigh County Coroner's Office at 610-782-3426. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

A Final Tribute To Len Burkhart (one of my former shipmates) - QMC (Quartermaster Chief) US NAVY - 40 Years Of HONOURABLE Service To This Country...... This video gives us an idea of how Chief Burkhart spent some of his US Navy years on sea duty - a life NOT for the squeamish or the fainthearted !! No soup today - Da house is movin ---   Email accompanying the "Leonard Burkhart: Flag Replacement Video" from Charlie Gerancher: This video was made by the two students who assisted Mr. B at the cemetery. Sadly, there were only two volunteers with him. Not sure if it was communicated well with the students. He specifically asked my son to participate because of our relative being involved. However, my son thought Mr. B was mistaken about the tie to our family and never mentioned to me. Really wish I had know about this. I contacted the HS teacher who supervised the two students with the video project about continuing the tradition of replacing the flags and allowing my elementary students to participate. It would be a really nice memorial to Mr. B from our school district. Sincerely, Charlie Gerancher *Charlie Gerancher **|** Technology Instructor **|** Technology Integration Coach* *|** Steckel Elementary School * Note from the Webmaster of USS LEAHY......I was fortunate to make a cruise with QM3 Burkhart around the whole of South America (UNITAS X) in 1969 Many thanks to the volunteers and to the two young ladies, LAUREN KNOPF and EMILY SOLDRIDGE for "STEPPING UP AND STEPPING OUT" - for their efforts at the Greenwood Cemetery, Allentown, PA in 2018.   for the Greenwood Cemetery video

Leonard Burkhart USS Leahy photo page....

Ken Deshaies - Newton, NH 2018