Alvin Guy Burchfiel
Funeral Information
Home:
Cullowhee, NC
Date of Death:
December 11, 2011
Place of Birth:
Dandridge, TN
Birthdate:
December 08, 1923
Age:
88
Memorial Service:
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 2:00 PM Cullowhee United Methodist Church, Cullowhee, NC
Biography
Dr. Alvin Guy Burchfiel of Cullowhee, a retired faculty member and administrator in the College of Education and Allied Professions at Western Carolina University, died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at the age of 88.
Burchfiel, who joined the WCU faculty in 1962, served as professor and Head of the Department of Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction during his 27-year tenure at the university.
A widely known education consultant, he influenced generations of schoolchildren in Western North Carolina and beyond, teaching and guiding hundreds of teachers, principals, and administrators across the region and state.
He received his bachelor's degree in physical education and social studies from Western Carolina in 1949 and his master's degree in education and history form WCU in 1954, going on to earn his doctorate from the University of Tennessee in 1962. He joined the WCU faulty as assistant professor and alumni secretary, later serving as director of public relations, director of summer school, and coordinator of WCU's role in the National Teacher Corps.
He worked many years with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and, in 1971, began a year working fulltime with SACS, traveling throughout Central and South America for the association and the U.S. State Department to assist in their work with American schools overseas.
Before joining WCU, he worked for 10 years as a public school teacher, coach, principal, and administrator in North Carolina and Tennessee, including positions at Oakley, Biltmore, and Black Mountain schools in Buncombe County, assistant president and dean of men at Brevard College and assistant superintendent of the Greeneville, TN public school system.
Born Dec. 8, 1923, in Dandridge, Tenn., he graduated from Oakley High School in Asheville in 1940, attending Brevard College before enrolling at WCU. A veteran, he served three years during World War II as a navigator and pilot trainer in the U.S. Army Air Corp with the rank of lieutenant.
He was a member of the N.C. Education Association, the National Education Association, the American Association of School Administrators and Phi Delta Kappa society. A former president of the Western North Carolina School Masters Club in Asheville, he was a member of the Lions Club and Cullowhee United Methodist Church.
He was voted Outstanding University Citizen by the WCU student body in 1975, and was recipient of Western Carolina's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1986. He retired as a professor in May 1989.
Son of the late Thomas and Ada Proffitt Burchfiel, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo Edith Morgan Burchfiel. He also leaves four children: Tom Burchfiel and wife Pat, of Barnardsville; Lu Ada Burchfiel of Asheville; Dorothy Morelli and husband Mike, of Brentwood, Tenn.; Eddie Burchfiel and wife Aylett, of Asheville, as well as his beloved grandchildren.
Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva is responsible for arrangements. An online message may be left for the family at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com . A celebration of life service will be held at Cullowhee United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cullowhee United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1267, Cullowhee, NC 28723.
Burchfiel, who joined the WCU faculty in 1962, served as professor and Head of the Department of Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction during his 27-year tenure at the university.
A widely known education consultant, he influenced generations of schoolchildren in Western North Carolina and beyond, teaching and guiding hundreds of teachers, principals, and administrators across the region and state.
He received his bachelor's degree in physical education and social studies from Western Carolina in 1949 and his master's degree in education and history form WCU in 1954, going on to earn his doctorate from the University of Tennessee in 1962. He joined the WCU faulty as assistant professor and alumni secretary, later serving as director of public relations, director of summer school, and coordinator of WCU's role in the National Teacher Corps.
He worked many years with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and, in 1971, began a year working fulltime with SACS, traveling throughout Central and South America for the association and the U.S. State Department to assist in their work with American schools overseas.
Before joining WCU, he worked for 10 years as a public school teacher, coach, principal, and administrator in North Carolina and Tennessee, including positions at Oakley, Biltmore, and Black Mountain schools in Buncombe County, assistant president and dean of men at Brevard College and assistant superintendent of the Greeneville, TN public school system.
Born Dec. 8, 1923, in Dandridge, Tenn., he graduated from Oakley High School in Asheville in 1940, attending Brevard College before enrolling at WCU. A veteran, he served three years during World War II as a navigator and pilot trainer in the U.S. Army Air Corp with the rank of lieutenant.
He was a member of the N.C. Education Association, the National Education Association, the American Association of School Administrators and Phi Delta Kappa society. A former president of the Western North Carolina School Masters Club in Asheville, he was a member of the Lions Club and Cullowhee United Methodist Church.
He was voted Outstanding University Citizen by the WCU student body in 1975, and was recipient of Western Carolina's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1986. He retired as a professor in May 1989.
Son of the late Thomas and Ada Proffitt Burchfiel, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo Edith Morgan Burchfiel. He also leaves four children: Tom Burchfiel and wife Pat, of Barnardsville; Lu Ada Burchfiel of Asheville; Dorothy Morelli and husband Mike, of Brentwood, Tenn.; Eddie Burchfiel and wife Aylett, of Asheville, as well as his beloved grandchildren.
Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva is responsible for arrangements. An online message may be left for the family at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com . A celebration of life service will be held at Cullowhee United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cullowhee United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1267, Cullowhee, NC 28723.
Candles
Tammy Haskett
2011-12-12 16:17:54
Jo Edith, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will all miss Guy. I so enjoyed his jokes and quick smile.
Leo and Terri Webb
2011-12-12 17:33:54
with deepest symphanty. You all are in our prayes and thoughts.
Risa Shuler Cheney
2011-12-12 20:34:33
Mrs. Burchfiel, Tom, LuAda, Dorothy, and Eddie,
Please know that I will always remember Mr. Burchfiel fondly. He was always so very kind. Each of you will be in my prayers in the coming weeks.
Risa Shuler Cheney
Dale Carpenter
2011-12-13 00:44:10
Western was my first faculty position and Guy was always generous and helpful to me as he was to everyone else. He taught me and others important lessons in what schooling in western NC was all about.
The Lehman's
2011-12-13 01:16:30
We will miss his quick wit and the many memorable stories he shared with us. Love, Brad, Diana, Graham & Megan Lehman
Bob & Susie Ray
2011-12-13 04:02:57
We were so sorry to hear of Guy's death. We noticed that
we came to WCU the same year that Guy did--1962, although both he and Bob had been students here. And both loved and respected their alma mater, giving many years of service to this institution.
God's blessings on you, his
wonderful family, as you grieve your loss. We send our sincere condolences.
Susie & Bob Ray
Danny Whatley
2011-12-13 14:33:50
I owe so much of success in my career in education to Dr. Birchfiel. A great teacher and great friend of school administrators across this state. Please know that you are in my thoughts.
Donald D. Jones
2011-12-13 16:28:01
Jo Edith and family:
Gladys and I express our deepest sympathy in the death of Guy.
Guy was one of my ideals. His influence upon me at Oakley High School was a major
reason for my entering the education profession. I was also fortunate to have his counsel as a student at WCU.
Guy continued to give me encouragemenet as I continued thirty four years as a teacher, principal, Superintendent, and Regional Director. I will always be indebted to him. He was certainly a person one could admire and appreciate.
Your loss is great and is also strongly felt throughout Western North Carolina.
Suzanne Key
2011-12-13 17:54:13
God's heart for you is full of hope, love and peace and so are our prayers. With Deepest Sympathy, Steve & Suzanne Key
Kent Briggs
2011-12-13 20:14:17
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the wonderful family of Jo Edith, Tom, Eddie, Dorothy and Lu Ada. Dr. Burchfiel will be deeply missed but his legacy will last forever. He has greatly influenced so many people to pursue an educational profession. Dr. Burchfiel is a major reason why I coach and teach today. What a tremendous role model he and his family have been for all of us. Love Kent, Lisa, Alex and Cody
Joe Walters
2011-12-13 21:05:57
Jo Edith and Family,
I will always remember Guy and his leadership of our department at WCU. Having worked closely with him for 25 years, I can truly say that he was a great mentor, educator, and unique individual. There was only one "Guy."
Joe Walters
Glen and Kim Marconcini
2011-12-13 22:52:50
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. We did not know you very well but heard wonderful stories through Dorothy and Mike. You raised an incredible daughter. Dorothy has many of his special traits that will live on and bring smiles to everyone. With Love, Glen, Kim, Christopher, Matthew and stephen Marconcini
Nancy McIntosh
2011-12-13 23:15:50
We have seen the obituary on the Asheville Citizen Time's website. We are glad we were able to talk to Dorothy and Jo Edith on the phone. We want to let you know that the family is in our thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry that we were not able to visit with the family and Guy last year. We will miss Guy a lot.
Nancy and Family
Tommy Koontz
2011-12-13 23:58:22
To the Burchfiel Family:
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the passing of Dr. Burchfiel. Dr. Burchfiel was a true educator. His expertise will be sorely missed.
May God bless you all in the days to come.
Sincerely,
Tommy Koontz
OBHA
Pauline Styles Beck
2011-12-14 01:31:17
Tom,
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. May God fill your heart with the joy and memories left by your dad. It is hard losing a parent, a part will always be missing. However, the fellowship and sharing of his life with your family helps.
You are in my prayers.
Love in Christ
Pauline
Jule Gainous
2011-12-14 12:15:17
JoJo and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult of times.
The Lord does provide us the ability to accept our sorrows.
Know that we understand and care.
In deepest sympathy,
The Gainous Family
The Linn's
2011-12-14 18:39:41
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. We have enjoyed hearing all the wonderful stories about you from Dorothy. (especailly playing Basketball with Caroline)
Mike, Kendra, Karmen and Will Linn
Kay Cosper Miller
2011-12-15 15:44:18
Dear Mrs. Burchfiel, Tom, Lu Ada, Eddie, and Dorothy. I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Burchfiel's passing. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts & prayers during this time. May God bless and keep all of you during this time of sadness. My sympathies are with you all. Kay
Bill Cagle
2011-12-15 19:21:01
So very to of Mr Burchfirls passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family
Bill & Wendy Cagle
Dottie Mills Gray
2011-12-15 21:18:05
Tom our thought and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Loveta Lewis
2011-12-15 23:26:17
LuAda, Eddie and family I am sorry to hear of the death of your dad. I wish you God's blessings during this difficut time. Loveta
Jan Cowan King
2011-12-17 16:11:23
The Cowan family sends our condolences. We have great memories of Dr. Burchfiel - visits while checking the mail at the Cullowhee post office, having a hot dog at the Quick Stop, etc. He always had a smile and kind word. Thinking of you, Bill and Linda Cowan, Jill, Jan, and Jimmy.
Ron and Barbara Tecza
2011-12-17 17:40:01
Guy Burchfiel was a great mentor to so many of us Graduate Assistants. Many of us would not have been able to pursue our MAED at WCU within his help. The Burchfiel family is in our prayers. Ron, Barbara Tecza and Ronda Tecza Smith
The Cowan Family
2011-12-18 02:31:08
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have such great memories of Dr. Burchfiel. He always had a smile and kind word. You are in our prayers. Bill and Linda Cowan, Jill Cowan Gregg, Jan Cowan King and Jimmy Cowan
Terry White Hyler
2011-12-20 18:01:09
Tom and Family, We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Burchfiel, please accept our heartfelt sympathy. You will be remembered in our prayers during this Christmas season. God Bless you and bring you peace. Terry White Hyler and Don White Family
Gib Darden
2011-12-21 13:18:46
We sure loved KGB Guy. He was a great man. Love to JoEdith, Tom, Dorothy, LuAda and Ed.
Gib Darden
2011-12-21 13:20:56
We sure loved KGB Guy. He was a great man. Love to JoEdith, Tom, LuAda, Dorothy, and Ed.
Gina Ramsey Price
2011-12-22 04:07:49
Dearest Burchfiel family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Guy was a wonderful man, so very kind, with such a sweet spirit. I know you will miss him, and I will be praying for each of you to be comforted and held closely by the Lord of all comfort.
David Davies
2012-01-21 19:49:10
Dear Mrs. Burchfiel and family,
I was very saddened to hear about Dr. Burchfiel. He was key to my completing graduate programs and his recommendations were critical in my securing administrative positions in education through the years. He quickly impressed aspiring administrators because unlike many of his colleagues, Guy had worked as an administrator in public schools. The information and advice he gave us was genuine and accurate. Through his students, he has positively affected tens of thousands of North Carolina school children. He was a best friend to educaton. I sincerely miss him.