Remembering a Racer

Story by Ashley Traylor, News Editor 

After Murray State’s Interim Chief Facilities Officer, David Burdette, died unexpectedly Jan. 10, his friends and colleagues remembered his honorable character and his impact on the University.

President Bob Davies sent an email to faculty and staff the morning of Jan. 10 informing them of Burdette’s passing. In his letter, Davies asked for them to keep Burdette’s family in their thoughts and prayers.

“David was a dear friend and colleague to many of us and worked tirelessly to advance Murray State University on many fronts,” Davies wrote. “He will be sorely missed.”

Rick Grogan, director for ground building and grounds maintenance, worked closely with Burdette in Facilities Management. Grogan said Burdette was a “caring, honest and straightforward man,” who always looked for opportunities to help other people.

“He was one of the most positive men I’ve ever met, starting each day with at least one ‘Good morning’ to each of his staff as he walked down the hall to his office,” Grogan said. “One of his favorite phrases was ‘It’s a great day in the Commonwealth!’”

Burdette took over operations as interim chief facilities officer in 2014, which is when his friendship with Jeffery Gentry, assistant chief of police, began. Gentry described Burdette as a loyal friend and proponent of the students, university and community.

Throughout their years of working together, Gentry can recall many memories with Burdette.

“I can always remember the two of us saying, ‘What else could possibly go wrong?’” Gentry said. “This was used many times by me and David. Another thing that strikes me, while in a meeting, David would say, ‘You have time for a story?’”

Grogan agreed Burdette was famous for telling stories. He said Burdette impacted lives on college campuses in Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as at Murray State, and many of his stories “include people he remembered and cared about from many of these previous stops.”

Aside from his loyal character, Gentry said he was a trusted friend who would always be there in times of need.

“David was vivacious and was a friend you could always count on,” Gentry said. “He could make you smile if you were having bad day. David treated everyone the same and had respect for everyone.”

Burdette was involved in many campus projects, such as the Breathitt Veterinary Center, Engineering and Physics Building and the Hollis C. Franklin residential hall.

Burdette developed a summer Classroom Improvement Plan, which Grogran said, directed funding to renovating classrooms in Faculty Hall and Oakley Applied Science Building.

“David really immersed himself into the Murray State community in his relatively short time here and supported the students by contributing financially to various funds and by attending a variety of activities,” he said. “He would frequently say, ‘They are why we’re here.’”

Before beginning his career in higher education, Burdette was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army.

“If we were on campus or in the community and he saw a fellow service member, he would immediately engage the individual and thank them for their service,” Grogan said.

As interim chief facilities officer, Burdette oversaw many operations, like facilities design and construction, grounds and custodial services, facility operations and environmental safety and health.

“Each of us in Facilities Management had a unique relationship with David and we all want his family to know that they continue to be in our thoughts and prayers,” Grogan said.

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