Bob Burke Serves Society of American Foresters for 50 Years!

Bob Burke joined the Society of American Foresters in 1968. He remembers being elected as secretary-treasurer at his first meeting, and then served from 1968-1971. Three years later he was elected to be the Section Chair. In those days, he explains they were the Central States Section which included Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.  At some point, the national office sent word that the Central States Section was to dissolve, and they were to reform as individual state chapters. He said the upside of the time as the Central States Chapter was the great contacts and friends he made with foresters in Illinois and Ohio. 

Burke served two years in the US Army before going to work with the Pierson Hollowell Veneer Company where he served as their lead forester for 33 years. In 1979 he established his own consulting company focused on walnut plantations, which he ran for 15 years. He became a certified forester early in his career with a number of CF 108. 

There are a few things Burke is understandably proud of. He worked with the Forest Service many years ago on a research project to plant walnut seedlings on their company land. Forest Service researchers did their studies on the company lands and Burke was proud to have played in part in improving walnut trees.

Walnut trees have always been his passion, leading to him co-founding the Walnut Council in 1970. He also spoke fondly of his relationship with Senator Richard Lugar. He was his private forester for many years and worked with Lugar planting walnut on his private lands. The two men became friends.

Burke related a story from the Hoosier National Forest controversy in the 1980s. Burke said he was one of the few from the timber industry who was working with the environmentalists to get a better compromise on the Hoosier Plan. But in the end, the alternative that the Environmentalist preferred and that the legislators came out in favor of was selected. Burke explained how he had gone to his friend and asked the Senator the legislators had made that choice. Senator Lugar said because the environmentalist had come to him and asked for help. Forest industry and conservationists had never asked. Burke realized then that foresters could never make that mistake again. They needed to take their message to the politicians. One tangible symbol of that was a walnut Burke planted on the Capitol grounds in Washington DC from the Indiana Walnut Council.

Another thing he is proud of, is the Tree Improvement Center at Purdue University. He said years ago he got word that Carbondale had closed their research unit on walnut. About that same time, he took a trip to Europe to look at an 11-country initiative on forestry. When he got back, he went to see Senator Lugar. He told the Senator all about what he’d seen, and how impressed he was with what they were doing and how they could replicate much of it in Indiana. At the end of his visit Senator Lugar promised him a ½ million dollars and told Burke to find a place for his new research center. Not long after, Burke went to an SAF meeting and talked to Dennis LeMaster (Dean of Natural Resources at Purdue) over dinner. He told LeMaster the same story about the potential of his vision and they called Lugar back, said they were committed, and asked for more money. Burke said LeMaster made it happen and he’s found that “if it’s a worthwhile project, the money will come” and the Tree Improvement Center at Purdue was born and has thrived ever since.   

LeMaster reflected that he had always been impressed with Burke’s unrelenting passion for forestry and his leadership abilities and strength of character. In a letter Le Master said Burke was a man who loved forestry, got things done, and stood for something. Well said. Our profession is better for Bob Burke’s efforts to get things done.

Burke received a Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 2014. In his letter of support Senator Richard Lugar wrote of the remarkable contributions his friend Bob Burke had made through his scholarship, active participation, and leadership in forestry in both Indiana and in other countries in the world.

Burke has received many honors. In 1986 Indiana honored its first two members as Fellows of SAF, Bob Burke was one of those first Indiana SAF Fellows. In May 2010, Burke received an honorary doctorate from Purdue University and in 2013 he received a Certificate of Distinction, the highest honor given by the Agricultural Alumni Association.

Indiana joined the National Tree Farm Association in 1956. Burke joined the new organization in 1960. In 1968 he became the chairman of the Indiana Tree Farm.  Fifty years later, Burke is still Chair, having held the office for five decades! In 2019 however, he is passing the mantle of leadership to Lenny Farlee.

Burke also served six years as Chair of the Forestry Committee of the National Association of Conservation Districts, and co-founded the Hoosier Heartland RC&D, serving as its Vice Chair. He also served as supervisor for the Morgan County SWCD for 30 years.

Until the last few years Burke has always been active in SAF but has found in recent years he had less time and focused more on Tree Farm and other activities but still values his SAF ties.

Burke advises young foresters to get involved. He suggests they should join their professional organization and get involved with forestry organizations and meet other people who are enthused about the profession. “Someone will take you under their wing and help you out,” he noted. In over 50 years of forestry, Burke has certainly helped his share of young foresters.

Burke and his wife have two daughters and two grandchildren. Burke proudly notes that both his daughters attended Purdue University.