Author Topic: Gene Burkland passed away  (Read 18287 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline lvsalt

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 581
    • http://www.dcwaterjet.com
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #15 on: December 09, 2009, 09:30:28 AM »
God Speed,  Gene
Gary Cole     DCWATERJET Z

Offline saltwheels262

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1085
  • LTA 7/2013
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #16 on: December 09, 2009, 09:32:34 AM »
condolences to betty, tom and their extended family.

franey
bub '07 - 140.293 a/pg   120" crate street mill  
bub '10 - 158.100  sweetooth gear
lta  7/11 -163.389  7/17/11; 3 run avg.-162.450
ohio -    - 185.076 w/#684      
lta 8/14  - 169.xxx. w/sw2           
'16 -- 0 runs ; 0 events

" it's not as easy as it looks. "
                            - franey  8/2007

Offline Dmax65

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 50
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #17 on: December 09, 2009, 09:34:46 AM »
To all the Burkland family my deepest condolences. Gene was the one who introduced me to Land Speed Racing back in 1995 at a carshow in Lethbridge, Alberta. After that he always had time to visit with me anytime I stopped by his shop in Great Falls and let me marvel at the wonders he was creating there. He helped shape my life in this sport, as I'm sure he had many others. A truly wonderful man and pure genius and pioneer to our community.....you will be missed by all Gene, Godspeed.

Curtis Halvorson

Offline Seldom Seen Slim

  • Nancy and me and the pit bike
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 13158
  • Nancy -- 201.913 mph record on a production ZX15!
    • Nancy and Jon's personal website.
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #18 on: December 09, 2009, 10:23:47 AM »
A great memory -- Gene and his grandson in the converted Dodge push vehicle, getting Tom off to a running start in the family 'liner.  Both Gene and the boy had HUGE smiles -- and I couldn't help but think of how great it would be to share a thrill like that with my Grandpa. 

Nancy and I send our condolences and thoughts to the Burkland family and crew -- who will all, no doubt, be grieving over Gene's passing.
Jon E. Wennerberg
 a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim
 Skandia, Michigan
 (that's way up north)
2 Club member x2
Owner of landracing.com

Offline fredvance

  • FVANCE
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2297
    • Vance and Forstall Racing
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #19 on: December 09, 2009, 10:38:11 AM »
My sincerest condolances to Betty and Tom. God speed Gene,RIP.

  Fred
WORLDS FASTEST PRODUCTION MOTORCYCLE 213.470
Vance&Forstall Racing
WOS 2011 235+MPH
Engine by Knecum, Tuned by Johnny Cheese.
Sponsers Catalyst Composites, Johnny Cheese Perf, Knecum Racing Engines, Murray Headers, Carpenter Racing

Offline Seldom Seen Slim

  • Nancy and me and the pit bike
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 13158
  • Nancy -- 201.913 mph record on a production ZX15!
    • Nancy and Jon's personal website.
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #20 on: December 09, 2009, 10:49:57 AM »
I just received this and felt it appropriate to share with all of you:


Dear friends:
    Yesterday afternoon, after a very long strugglewith his lung disease, Gene left our world.  He just couldn't breathe any longer.  I believe he is up there wherever old Bonneville racers congregate . . . swapping stories and watching over all of us left down here below.
    Thank you all for the parts you have played in his (& my) life.  He told me a few days ago "It's been a wonderful life . . . skidding to a stop isn't so bad."
            I'll be in touch . . . and will hope see you all at the salt.
                                Betty Burkland
Jon E. Wennerberg
 a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim
 Skandia, Michigan
 (that's way up north)
2 Club member x2
Owner of landracing.com

Offline landsendlynda

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 949
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #21 on: December 09, 2009, 11:35:09 AM »
My condolences Betty, Tom, and the rest of the Burkland Family.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers, but mostly you will live in my heart.

Lynda
Volunteer roadblock at Land's End! Yes, you need your stinkin badge! I'm your Dream Keeper, I protect your dream on the asphalt so you can chase your dream on the salt!

McRat

  • Guest
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #22 on: December 09, 2009, 11:38:13 AM »
My condolences to Burklands.  Rest in peace Gene.

Offline mkilger

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 997
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #23 on: December 09, 2009, 11:53:15 AM »
condolences Betty and Tom

Offline jimmy six

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2785
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #24 on: December 09, 2009, 12:42:46 PM »
Even with a pit full of the "big and famous"; Gene, Betty, and Tom always had time to welcome the "little guy" into their pit. . . . I will truly miss my friend......JD
First GMC 6 powered Fuel roadster over 200, with 2 red hats. Pit crew for Patrick Tone's Super Stock #49 Camaro

Offline Seldom Seen Slim

  • Nancy and me and the pit bike
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 13158
  • Nancy -- 201.913 mph record on a production ZX15!
    • Nancy and Jon's personal website.
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #25 on: December 09, 2009, 01:00:32 PM »
Here's another email I just received and will post:


To All,
I am sure maybe some of you heard that we lost a very huge hero - we just got a call that Gene Burkland past away early today....... very very devastating. Many thoughts & prayers go out to this fabulous family who have given us so many great memories for many years. Gene will be missed and for sure NOT FORGOTTEN.
 
God Speed My Dear Friend Gene........
 
Wishing you all the best throughout the holidays,
Gail & Ron Tesinsky

Gail also sent along this photo taken of Betty and Gene on their 50th wedding anniversary back in early November.
Jon E. Wennerberg
 a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim
 Skandia, Michigan
 (that's way up north)
2 Club member x2
Owner of landracing.com

velocity

  • Guest
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #26 on: December 09, 2009, 02:51:42 PM »
Gene used a welder the way Heifetz used a Stradivarius; what he built, was built very well, something upon which you could rely. Indeed, rest your life upon. I witnessed such a moment when the driveshaft, which ran along the driver's legs and hips, got loose in the 411 streamliner during a World Record attempt. Son Tom got the beast stopped and had a few bruises from the twirling steel beating the life out of a one-inch plate covering it in the cockpit, stretching it and managing to rip slightly like you would a seam in your britches, but the welds held. That, my friends, is a testament of build quality; to have such talent that can provide such strength, such protection to a land speed racing vehicle. A gentle, sincere man, with a ready handshake and smile who loved his wife, his kids, his sport. How wonderfully blessed we were to have known him.  -- LSL

Offline hotrod

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1231
    • Black Horse photo
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #27 on: December 09, 2009, 03:01:50 PM »
So sad to hear that news!

God speed and best wishes to the entire family as they deal with this loss!

Larry

Offline Crazy2ganuu

  • New folks
  • Posts: 1
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #28 on: December 09, 2009, 03:26:45 PM »
God Speed Gene.  You have always been the best of friends and part of our family.  We feel very fortunate to have known and been a part of your world!  You were truly inspirational and a joy to work with.  Sure going to miss the back-cracking-take-the-breath-out-of-you Bear Hugs!  I hope the Salt is pearly white and always smooth in Heaven.  Rest in peace, you deserve it. 

Gary and Leah Stauffer

Offline DrofRockology

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 235
    • my blog
Re: Gene Burkland passed away
« Reply #29 on: December 09, 2009, 03:42:06 PM »
godspeed, gene!
gregory w. gillette
aka: monty wolf (not monte wolfe)

"fear is never boring!"

read all about it: http://montywolf.blogspot.com/