Joseph Burchfield Cartwright ’39

Burch died Sept. 14, 2005, at his home in East Liverpool, Ohio, where he had been a lifelong resident and civic leader.

During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps as a major and squadron commander in the Army Airways Communications System in North Africa. Then he resumed what would be a 40-year career at the Homer Laughlin China Co., first as plant manager and then director of personnel and labor relations. But above all, Burch was a distinguished civic leader and a dedicated supporter of the city's Thompson Park, where he served as president of the park board. He spearheaded a program to rebuild the swimming pool, later named in his honor.

He was a passionate supporter of East Liverpool and served as a member of the city's Blue Ribbon Commission on Housing. He was active in the Rotary Club and was on the board of Carnegie Library. He also served on the session of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. An avid fan of traditional jazz, he co-founded the Memory Lane Dance Club.

Burch was married for 57 years to Elizabeth Krise, who died in 2000. He is survived by their three children, Peter, Amy, and Mary, and six grandchildren. We offer them our sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1939