Kathryn Elizabeth Burkhart, Christian, accomplished biochemist
Kathryn Elizabeth (Terry) Burkhart of Rehoboth Beach passed away at home Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, peacefully in her sleep, in the presence of her husband, Mike; her son, Jeff; and her friend, Nora, following a stroke. A devout Christian since childhood, Kay is, without doubt, now in the arms of the Lord. She came into this world Sept. 5, 1946, in Martinsburg, W.Va., to proud parents Luke and Elizabeth Terry.
Kay met Mike, a young Marine officer and future husband, at a trade show for ski equipment in October 1968. Following a whirlwind courtship, they were engaged two months later, married the following August, and were madly in love for the next 54 years and 27 days. When they met, Kay was working as a biochemist.
Following graduation from Martinsburg High School in 1964, Kay attended James Madison College and later transferred to West Virginia University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in ecology. In 1971, when Mike was deployed to Vietnam, she earned her bachelor of science degree in medical technology at Shepherd College.
Kay had a smile for everyone and never met a stranger. Her charming smile and her genuine fondness for other people armed her with the ability to work a room as well as any politician.
When Mike was deployed on a ship in the Mediterranean Sea, Kay spent that six months port-hopping with two of the other wives in a car on loan from the ambassador to Italy. Between two of the port stops Mike was able to join her for four weeks, and together they saw many of the sights of southern Europe.
Kay’s accomplishments as a biochemist were substantial. She was able to develop a process to extract a chemical from the bellies of lightning bugs which would give off light in the presence of soil if there was life present. She and an electrical engineer designed and built a machine that was installed by NASA on Viking 1 and is now on Mars. She later invented a fungicide for jet fuels, reducing the cost of air travel for everyone. Kay subsequently had a 24-year career as a medical technologist.
After moving to Rehoboth Beach, she began her third career as a real estate agent. It was in that capacity that she met her friend, Nora, who became her business partner for over 20 years. Together they became well known in local real estate circles and dabbled in real estate speculation.
Of all of her jobs in her lifetime, however, she considered the most important to be that of mother to her two sons. Her first son, Jeff, was born in 1974. John was born in 1980. The elder son, Jeff, is an attorney in Kennewick, Wash. Sadly, John was lost in the swine flu pandemic in 2009.
As if work didn’t keep her busy enough, she was one of the early organizers of the Day at the Beach for the Delaware Special Olympics. For many years she continuously supported the Special Olympics program as a spectator, mother, chaperone, coach, and fundraiser as it grew in Sussex County and statewide.
More volunteer work ensued with the Rehoboth Beach Village Improvement Association, where she was a volunteer for more than 20 years. She was a treasured member of the VIA development committee, where her work was instrumental in fundraising for the clubhouse expansion, and she participated in obtaining historical markers from the Delaware State Archives. She was dearly loved and will very much be missed by all of her sisters at the VIA.
Her main hobby was decorative painting; her house is loaded with her artwork. She was also an avid golfer and was Mike’s favorite golf buddy.
Kay’s smile and relentless cheerfulness will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Few humans manage to put a machine on Mars. Few live a life of selfless kindness. Kay did both. Her bright soul will light our hearts forever.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, at Long Neck Methodist Church, Millsboro, with visitation beginning at noon. A reception will be held after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, t2t.org.
