BOMBER MEMORIAL

GENE VanDYKE BURRILL ~ Class of 1967 Honorary
October 8, 1949 - October 13, 2010

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Written by Gene for the 40-year Class Reunion Booklet in 2007:

"I moved to Alaska in 1965 and finished my junior and senior high school years in Anchorage. I still claim my hometown and roots are in Richland. I am a "true" Bomber. I started school at Sacajawea and went there until the end of second grade. For grades three - six, I went to Lewis and Clark. Junior High was at Carmichael, and I finished my sophomore year at Richland's Columbia High School with the Class of 1967.

I am married to my second wife Kelly, with one boy from my first marriage. Kelly brought me a girl and a boy to call mine for the last 14 years. I love being a Dad.

I have a couple of Harleys, and Kelly and I ride as much as we can, usually from April to November up here in Alaska. My other passion is playing the drums with many bands over the last 40 years. Currently I am with 'Jerry Bostwick and The Bushbandits'.

I came to Alaska to finish high school. I joined a band when I graduated. In '69 I did a stint in the Army Band Program and then back to the civilian bands for me. I went to college in 1994, graduating in 1998. I went to college a little later than most. I graduated with a degree in Radiologic Technology and work at a local hospital in Palmer, Alaska. I still drum on weekends with 'The Bushbandits'.

I have lived in Alaska, just about totally since I left Richland. I did get to Seattle for school in 1996. I've traveled through most of Alaska. I've also traveled to Hawaii, California, and most recently Florida and the Caribbean.

I hope to have life after work, but, who knows retirement seems overrated. Life is a great journey, and I want to enjoy every bump, hill and straightaway that comes my way."


On October 13, 2010 beloved husband, father, grandfather, musician and biker Gene VanDyke Burrill, age 61, died in Palmer, AK.

His family wrote that he "rode the Last Frontier into Heaven."

Born October 8, 1949 in Washington, Gene was a graduate of West Anchorage High School and Bellevue, WA community colleges. He worked for 12 years at Mat-Su Regional Hospital in Palmer as a radiologic technologist.

He was a charter member and past officer of the Harley Owners Group, Mat-Su Chapter and loved riding his "Hawgs" on Alaska's highways.

Gene played drums for many bands over the years, including the long-running Johnny Collinsworth and the Country Capers, Highway 81 and most recently Jerry Bostwick and the Bush Bandits.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly; sister, Nancy Schloeman and her husband Rex of Anchorage; children: Kohen Burrill and his wife Katy of Seattle; Everret and Marrissa Hamilton of Palmer/Wasilla; Nick Hedgcoth of California; and Kenny Trost and Zoey Newhouse of Palmer. He was the proud grandpa of ten.

Per his wishes, a party of love and laughter celebrating his life was held at 2PM on November 6, 2010 at 4 Corners Lounge on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Palmer.

Published in the Anchorage Daily News from October 19 - October 21, 2010.

NOTE:

His father, Harold "Red" Burrill, passed away June 26, 1993.

His mother, Genevieve "Van" Burrill, passed away October 30, 2006.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).