Obituary of Boyd R. Burkhardt

Dr. Boyd "Bob" Burkhardt, 84, passed away peacefully at the Tucson home of his son Boyd on May 7, 2018.  Bob possessed a hearty sense of humor, a love for Mercedes Benz sports cars, and an unwavering passion for excellence.  Born March 16, 1934 in Tipton, Indiana, he attended college at the University of Chicago, Columbia University and Stanford University.  He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School.  Bob served his internship at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and his residencyat Children's Hospital in Boston, where he met a lovely, kina and capable young nurse named Judi Brockert.  They married in 1961.  Shortly thereafter, Bob joined the Air Force and served as Chief of Surgery at Lajes Air Force Base in the Azores Islands.

In 1968 the family moved to Tucson, where Bob built a groundbreaking surgical facility next to Tucson Medical Center.  He was elected president of the Pima County Medical Society and the Rocky Mountain Plastic Surgery Society, contributed over 30 published papers to the national literature in plastic surgery and was appointed as a senior examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  He retired in 2006 at he age of 72.  Outside of the operating room, Bob's great love love was vacationing with his wife, children and grandchildren on Manitou Lake in Ontario, Canada.  Judi passed away in 2012, and Bob deeply mourned her loss for the remaining years of his life.  He was dearly loved and is survived by his daughter Susan Baier, son, Boyd and daughter Sarah McKenzie, as well as five grandchildren.  His family sees Bob's legacy in the continued drive for excellence within the Tucson medical community and in the great joy of time spent with family and friends.  At Bob's request, no memorial service will be held.  those interested in supporting a favored cause in his name can contact his son, Boyd at [email protected] for more information.