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In Memoriam
Dr. Ronald R. Burke |
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 Dr. Ronald R. Burke was a Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and co-editor of The Journal of Religion and Film. Born in Harlan, Iowa, schooled at the Jesuit Creighton Prep in Omaha, he received his B.A. in philosophy and M.A. in theology from the University of Notre Dame (1966-1968), and an M. Phil. and Ph.D. from Yale University (1970, 1974). After taking a tenure-track position at the UNOmaha (1971), he founded the Roman Catholic Modernism Group in the American Academy of Religion (1976), and remained on its Board of Directors until his death. He won a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to spend twelve months studying the history of religious studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, working with Walter Capps and Ninian Smart (1978-79). The time in California led to introducing the introductory world religions class at the UNOmaha. He became an associate professor in 1977 and was promoted to full professor in 1981. He was named a "Fellow" of the UNOmaha faculty in 1985. Winning another NEH grant in 1992, Ron spent the summer at the University of California at Berkeley, working under Claude Welch on nineteenth century theology in Europe and the United States. This led to him editing the book John Henry Newman: Theology and Reform (New York: Garland, 1992). He also contributed an important interdisciplinary work on the personality of John Henry Newman for Gerard Magill's Personality and Belief (New York: Lanham, 1994). Ron received a combination of grants and released time with which to initiate the new electronic Journal of Religion and Film. This work was both intensified his appreciation for "filmic" learning and widened his sense of religion. He saw the basic and unifying questions which structure all religions to be those of how to cope with life, human yearnings, and with death. Such questions are addressed not only in traditional religions, but in religions without traditional notions of God and without a "supernatural" dimension. Most pertinently, the questions are involved in a variety of contemporary films. Ron and his wife, Mary, have two
daughters, Becky and Katie. He comes from a close, Catholic family of seven
children, raised in both rural and urban cultures. With deep roots in the soil,
he was a
student of farm management, Wall Street, and corporate real
estate. He had an avid interest in racquetball, bowling,
exercise, computers and golf. He helped to found a corporation
called "Voodoo Golf," for the manufacture and sale of
golf equipment and apparel. He enjoyed WEB Bridge, reading, travel, and new technology. Ron defeated
a nested variant of transitional cell carcinoma
in
2000-2001 with support of family, friends and chemotherapy but was defeated by
cancer 5 April 2002. He represented the Roman Catholic Archdiocese
of Omaha at the city's Jewish-Catholic Biblical Discussion Group. |
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Memorial Comments |
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Like Monica, Nicole, and Jerry, you have been one of the treasures of my life. I will miss you terribly because I enjoyed our friendship so much.
Bill Blizek |
There were only two classes in my undergraduate career that changed my life because they changed entirely the way I saw things and one of those was Dr. Burke's Introduction to World Religions.
Carl King |
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Ron Burke had a smile that illuminated all that is good (versus evil) on this earth. His smile brings to mind the "Heart Light" from the movie ET. When we shared the hope that cancer patients find in one another, I knew he would have a profound impact on my life. I have come to believe that he lived his life in such a way that he role modeled the road to eternal life. In my mind's eye, I will always see that smile of many meanings. But somewhere deep within me, I will forever carry the "Heart Light" he so freely shared. Dr. Burke made a difference during his allotted time on this earth, may he now rest in peace.
Cheryl D. Conn |
My colleague, Ron, was an exceptionally fine teacher. He had the gift of listening - both students and colleagues knew that he gave full attention to what you were saying and, even, to what you were meaning to say. He also had the knack of asking a really good question - showing that you can ask a good question if you have done your listening well. Besides those two qualities, I valued my friend, Ron, for his possessing a lively, versatile mind, an irenic spirit, and a steady confidence regarding matters of soul-truth.
Dale Stover |
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"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult."
Seneca |
Ron Burke's expertise in his area of scholarship was impressive. He was also very kind and gracious, dedicated to his teaching and to his students! Over the years I have heard several of his former students say "the course I took with Professor Burke changed my life!"
Mary Ann
Krzemien |
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For twenty-five years I have known Ron Burke - as a highly effective teacher, an inspiring mentor, and more recently as a supportive friend and colleague. Things change. Above all I will remember his pleasantness. What he did was excellent, but how he did it was through his utterly consistent and enduring pleasantness.
Nicolae
Roddy |
Ron always took great interest in my thoughts on spirituality and Catholicism. He was so giving of his time and energy; so willing to share his knowledge and insight with those around him. Ron's informal mentoring was an important part of who he was as a person and it is something that I will always cherish as well as pass on to others.
Rory J. Conces |
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It was Ron Burke's idea to add a "Religion 101" course to the curriculum to introduce students to the study of religion. (Previously, Old Testament and/or New Testament were the lead-in courses open to freshmen.) Ron developed the new introductory course--known for the first few years as "Man and Religion"--and for a long time he was the only one who taught it. With the passing of time (and the name change to "Introduction to World Religions") all of us took our turn at teaching it, but only Ron was eager to devote 2/3 of his teaching load every semester to that introductory course.
Russell W. Palmer |
From Former Students I took Intro to World Religion and Roman Catholic Catholicism Today from Ron. He challenged us intellectually, he made us look at issues from all sides, every class was a lively forum where the free flowing exchange of ideas forced you to look deeper into yourself than you had ever before. The world has lost a great teacher and thinker. I took his Intro to World Religion back in the 70's. Of all my 60 college credits, his was THE BEST class I've ever taken. I give quite a bit of credit for my continued interest in religion and all it has done for me. |