Burnham Hockaday ’19

Burnham "Burnie" Hockaday, the last surviving member of the Class of '19, died Dec. 30, 1996, at home. He was 100. He was born in Kansas City, Mo., where he spent his entire life. He attended the Country Day School, now known as Pembroke Hill. He served in WWI as a 1st lieutenant, first in the trenches in France and later in the Army of Occupation in Germany. After the war, he returned to Princeton and graduated in 1921.

He returned to Kansas City and worked as a manufacturer's representative, covering much of the Midwest by car. He retired when he was 85. He was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the University Club, and the Kansas City Country Club. For two years, he was president of the Princeton Club of Kansas City and on the area Alumni Council. As a member of the latter, he persuaded the national Alumni Council to hold their 1958 convention in Kansas City.

He was a devoted husband and father and was blessed with many friends who enjoyed his warm and gentle sense of humor. Clara, his wife of 59 years, predeceased him in 1994. His son, John '62, died of cancer in 1962. Burnie is survived by his daughter, Laura R., who is the society editor of the Kansas City Star; his nephew, Irvine O. '58, who is president and CEO of Hallmark Inc.; and many grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews.

The Alumni Council