Robert Burke O'Leary

Burke O’Leary, 70, passed away March 7, 2019, much too soon after a brief devastating illness. Burke was born August 18, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan to Walter O’Leary and Roberta (Melin) O’Leary. He was the third of five O’Leary siblings. Burke grew up in the San Jose, California area, when there were still acres of fruit trees to explore with his dog. He started attending college after high school, but took a year off to wander throughout Europe and Africa in a VW van. He returned to the U.S. with a new passion for education and purpose in his life, and graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1972. He received a Master’s Degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University in 1976. Burke was an exceptional school psychologist for over 35 years, serving children in California, Nevada and Washington, spending 22 years in the Tumwater School District and two years in the Shelton School District before retiring in 2011. He was seen as an advocate for children with special needs and as a mentor to his peers. Everyone who knew Burke remembers his enthusiasm for the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman, bike rider, hiker, swimmer, kayaker, and golfer. He dearly loved to travel with his family and friends. Burke went on bike trips to Ireland, Croatia, and most recently Cuba. Other favorite places included rafting on the Grand Canyon, Maui, the Steens in Oregon, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico (especially Oaxaca), Nepal, Thailand, Laos, France, Italy, Turkey, Nicaragua, Spain, New Zealand, and Austria. He was actively planning future trips to Patagonia, Morocco, and the Galapagos, as he always wanted to continue living life to the fullest. One of his most memorable recent trips was hiking hut-to-hut in the High Sierras with his daughter, Maura, and good friend, Larry Seale. Even though his travels were so amazing, Burke loved coming back to his home on Budd Inlet where he sat in his hot tub, enjoying the beautiful sunsets over the water. He surrounded himself with lovely art and textiles from his trips around the world. Recently, he was completing a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle once a week. Burke was married in 1986 to Lin (Yankowski) O’Leary, MD in Berkeley, California. He shared with her with his love of travel and adventure, and encouraged her to try to bike or hike as well as he did. Burke and Lin had a special partnership, working together to raise two wonderful children, Colin and Maura, whom he considered his greatest legacy. His family was the most important aspect of his life, and he passed on love, laughter, commitment, and a love of cooking to his kids. He was so proud of all of their accomplishments in school, sports, and life. They cherish many memories of him encouraging them to be the best they could be, especially outdoors. Burke is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lin; his daughter, Maura of Los Angeles; his son, Colin, and his soon to be daughter-in-law, Jordan, of Atlanta. His siblings are Michael O’Leary, Dennis (Catie) O’Leary, Marty (Katy) O’Leary, and Peggy (Kenny) O’Leary, all of California. He is also survived by his in-laws, Thomas Yankowski and Trinidad Madrigal of San Francisco. He enjoyed his nieces and nephews tremendously—Owen, Ceara, Nico, Emma, Daisy, August, and Jean. He is also survived by a favorite aunt, Peggy Baer of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Joe and Chris Yankowski, all of whom he loved deeply. Burke leaves behind many friends across the country and the world. HIs family hosted private memorials after his death and scattered his ashes in Puget Sound. Donations may be made in his memory to Make-a-Wish Foundation, if desired, or have a glass of wine or a Bombay martini and enjoy the sunset in his memory, especially in the great outdoors.