2010 Honorary Degree
Robert D. Burke
Doctor of Agriculture
Robert Burke has distinguished himself as a dedicated, passionate, and visionary leader in forestry.
A member of the U.S. Army, Burke left the military and fighting forest fires in 1959 to pursue a degree at Purdue. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science and forestry in 1960 and began his career at Pierson Hollowell Veneer Co. in Indianapolis.
During his 38 years at Pierson Hollowell, Burke established plantations of walnut and other hardwoods for conducting research; purchased and managed several hundred acres of forestland throughout central Indiana from the Illinois to Ohio state lines; became one of the earliest foresters certified by the Society of American Foresters; and developed and implemented a new hardwood forest management department within the company.
He became Hollowell’s head forester in 1965, a position he held for 33 years until his retirement. In addition to his work at Hollowell, he began in 1979 to provide private forester consultation for clients, such as the U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and Chris Schenkel tree farms.
In 1970, Burke co-founded the Walnut Council, an organization that promotes the growth of black walnut and other hardwood trees. In 1995, he co-founded the Walnut Council Foundation, a nonprofit corporation to provide financial support to the Walnut Council.
He worked with Sen. Lugar and former Purdue Professor Dennis LeMaster to establish the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center in 1998. Burke continues to serve on its advisory committee. He also is an appointed member of the Indiana Governor's Land Resource Council and serves on the Forestry Committee for the Chicago Climate Exchange.
Burke's commitment to sustainability and best practices in forestry have been recognized by many research and professional organizations. The Society of American Foresters elected him as a fellow in 1985, and the National Walnut Council awarded him its highest distinction, the Black Walnut Achievement Award. Other honors include the Forester of the Year Award in 2006 by Mapleturn Utilities and Friend of Forestry Award in 1996 by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. The U.S. Senate presented him with a certificate of recognition in appreciation of his contributions to Indiana in 1987.
Burke remains an ardent advocate for Purdue and the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. He also is a life member of the Purdue Alumni Association.
Originally from Crawfordsville, Ind., he now lives in Martinsville, Ind., with his wife, Susan. He has two daughters, Jayne and Beverly, both of whom graduated from Purdue in 1997.
