Remembering Dr. Burnley

To the editor:

We worked as journalists (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and KTVF-Channel 11) when the late Dr. Kenneth Burnley was superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in the mid-1980s. Professionally, we considered Dr. Burnley a smart, down-to-earth, wonderfully charismatic guy with an unusual gift for bringing people together. He also showed undying respect for everyone he met.

Dr. Burnley as a leader was a straightforward person who always dealt honestly with journalists who covered school district issues. We were delighted to learn Dr. Burnley had returned to Alaska in his late 60s to lead the Mat-Su Borough School District as superintendent a year or two ago. Like so many others, we were subsequently shocked and saddened to learn of his sudden passing earlier this year.

This holiday season is the first one that Dr. Burnley's close friends and loving family will have without him. Our hearts go out to the Burnley family and everyone who loved and respected him. May he rest in peace.

John Creed,

professor

Susan B. Andrews,

professor

Arts and Letters/

Journalism

University of Alaska

Chukchi College

Kotzebue