George Burnham Calkins Jr. ’39

Burnie died at a hospital near his home in Bethesda, Md., on Feb. 16, 2001, following a stroke. A mechanical engineer, he exercised his skills as an engineer officer on naval vessels during WWII, at the research labs of Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., at the engineering division of Chrysler Corp., and finally in his last job at Survival Technology, Inc., designing small medical devices until he retired in May 1986.

Endlessly enthusiastic, Burnie all his life pursued interests both intellectual and recreational. Given a start by Asher Hinds and Roy Welch at Princeton, his love for literature (particularly poetry) and music added richness to his life. And this he gleefully balanced with his love of old cars (his 1934 Lagonda was entered in the 1935 Le Mans race) until he fell under the spell of sailboats. He sailed extensively throughout the Chesapeake Bay and was past commodore of the Rhode River Boat Club.

Burnie's marriage to Lena Owens ended in divorce. He is survived by his son, Anthony, his sister, and three grandchildren. Like them, we will miss our high-spirited friend, and we offer them our sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1939