CLASSNOTES C O M P I L E D B Y L I B B Y E D WA R D S
A Heartfelt Salute for Two Visionary Leaders
T
HE BRUNSWICK community is
undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College
Fairchild Foundation for the construction of the
profoundly grateful for the exceptional
after returning from duty in the Pacific.
Burke Field House on King Street.
lives and myriad contributions of two
Following law school at Columbia University
As Board Chairman, Mr. Burke actively worked
and a brief tenure at Cadwalader, Wickersham,
to transform Brunswick — accelerating academic
whose love for and dedication to the school over
and Taft, Mr. Burke worked as the chief legal
programming, building endowment, renovating
the expanse of nearly eight decades shined and
and financial advisor for Sherman Fairchild,
antiquated facilities, and acquiring faculty housing.
resonated in countless ways.
the inventor and entrepreneur responsible for
of its truly inspirational members,
Fairchild Camera and Fairchild Engine, as well as WALTER F. BURKE ’40, parent, former chairman
Fairchild Semiconductor.
Mr. Burke was honored with the Brunswick School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009. Mr. Burke also served on the Board of Trustees
of the Board of Trustees, and tremendous friend
Mr. Burke succeeded Fairchild as Chairman of
of the School, died in Greenwich on November 1
the Board of the Fairchild Camera and Instrument
Morgan Library, California Institute of Technology,
at the age of 96.
Corporation, and served on the board of the
the Jet Propulsion Library, Union Theological
Sherman Fairchild Foundation for more than 50
Seminary, and the Metropolitan Museum.
Mr. Burke is survived by his beloved wife of 76 years, Constance (Connie) Morse Burke. Mr. Burke, father of Bonnie, Wally ’67, Diane,
years, including 35 years as president. In 1979, Mr. Burke honored his father — who
of Dartmouth College, Columbia University, the
Mr. Burke and his wife were the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren, including Drew
Douglas ’74, and Nancy P ’08, served as a member
played an instrumental role in Brunswick’s
of the Board of Trustees from 1963–1979 and as
advancement in the late 1930s — by placing his
“Walter Burke was one of the most remark-
chairman from 1974–1979.
name on the newly constructed Maher Avenue
able men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing,”
He graduated from Brunswick in 1940.
gymnasium. When plans were unveiled to trans-
Headmaster Thomas W. Philip said. “He was a
Having served his country in the United States
form Burke Gymnasium into a theater in 2004,
force for good for Brunswick School and so many
Mr. Burke secured funding from the Sherman
other schools and organizations, giving so much
Navy during World War II, Mr. Burke received his
58 | TIMES
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2019
Tunney ’08, and 12 great-grandchildren.