ARTHUR L. BURKE, 77

Retired Maj. Arthur L. Burke, whose career spanned three decades as a teacher and principal, died Friday, Feb. 18. He was 77.

Mr. Burke was a teacher at Newport News High School from 1961 to 1966, the first principal at Tabb Intermediate School in the late 1960s and assistant principal in the early 1970s at York High School. Chairman of the Peninsula Adult Education Committee from 1979 to 1982, he was an adjunct faculty member at St. Leo's College from 1974 until his retirement in 1993.

He also retired in 1961 after 20 years with the Army, having earned the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for World War II, Army of Occupation Medal for World War II, National Defense Service Medal, Campaign of Service Victory Medal, Order of Military Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Campaign and Service Medal and the American Campaign Medal.

He was the former director of continuing education for York County, and in 1976 he received a certificate of appreciation from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 63 for outstanding contribution to the auxiliary public education program in boating safety. Mr. Burke helped provide classrooms and facilities for auxiliary programs.

He was named as a distinguished member of the Transportation Corps Regiment in 1993 and was a member of the Toastmasters Club, Fort Eustis. He served a number of years as an officer of the Newport News Electoral Board and was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross from the State of New York. He was a native of New York, a Peninsula resident for 35 years and a member of St. Theresa Chapel at the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown.

Mr. Burke received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in education from the College of William and Mary. He held a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational administration.

An avid baseball and boxing fan, his son Kevin remembers his father as enjoying to read, ride his bicycle and go ballroom dancing with his wife.

He is survived by his wife, Anna K. Burke; a daughter, Arleen B. Lovering of Columbus, Ohio; three sons, Kevin M. Burke of Newport News, Lt. Col. Stephen L . Burke of Sacramento, Calif., and Brian J. Burke of Portsmouth; and five grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at Umphlett Funeral Home. A funeral will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later time in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Published in the Daily Press on 2/20/94.