Trinity Remembers Richard M. 'Dick' Burr

Richard M. "Dick" Burr died on June 8, 2024. A Professor Emeritus of business administration at Trinity University who started his teaching career in the School of Business in 1972, Burr is remembered as a fine Southern Gentleman, a scholar, and a Boy Scout-and most importantly, a friend to so many who loved him for his goodness, kindness, intellect and chivalry.

Burr met his wife, Pat LeMay, at the University of Alabama in the classroom where she was a student, and he was completing his doctoral degree. It was, they both always said, love at first sight. During almost sixty years together they shared academic endeavors, international work, and the world of education at all levels.

At Trinity, Burr was perhaps most known for his inability to sit still-and students continuously benefitted from this. In the early 1990s, he was one of the key leaders of five-day faculty-led programs to Monterrey Tec in Monterrey, Mexico, a program that grew to hosting more than 45 students per year. In 2005, he and former economics professor Jorge Gonzalez began a faculty-led program in Madrid, Spain, now known as the Madrid Internship Program; students serve as interns with corporations, non-governmental organizations, and associations while concurrently enrolled in a course on the economy of Spain taught by a Trinity professor. Then, in 2007, the two initiated the faculty-led program on the European Union, in which they accompanied students to Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium for an intensive two week on-site study. In 2010, Burr also co-led the faculty-led program to Vietnam to study the country's globalization and economic development-a program that proudly ran this summer as well.

When Burr retired from Trinity University in 2016, he looked backon his proudest achievements, which included being named the AACSB Sears-Roebuck Foundation Federal Faculty Fellow assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., as special assistant to the Director, Scientific and Technical Information Office, and as special assistant to the Associate Administrator for External Affairs in 1977; and receiving the gamut of Trinity faculty awards, including the Distinguished University and Community Service Award in 2003, the Dr. and Mrs. Z. T. Scott Faculty Fellowship in 2006, and the Distinguished Advising Award in 2010. In 2008, he was honored, along with Professor Emeritus of history Donald N. Clark, by a Trinity University alumna who established an endowed chair, the Richard M. Burr and Donald N. Clark Professorship in Business.

Burr will be remembered for his unfailing advice and support for hundreds of former students whose careers he helped launch. He was enormously proud that his last surgeon was a former Trinity student, Dr. Ravi Karia, who repeatedly rallied to his side. The ultimate statistician, Burr had a lifetime Excel roster of every Trinity student he had had in class, the student's name, the class name, the year, and the earned grade. And after years in retirement, he was still writing recommendation letters for those students, remembering each student via details in that Excel file.

Burr is survived by spouse and soulmate, Dr. Pat LeMay Burr. Ashley LeMay Burr, their only child, predeceased them at age 21 after her graduation from SMU and a cherished four years as a Pi Phi. She had earlier graduated from The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut and attended St. Mary's Hall as a younger student. He is also survived by his sister Susan and her spouse Bert Tandy, and many nieces and nephews. Chris Manley and Tommy Manley, two nephews he viewed as his sons, were by his side until the end.

Dick, as his friends knew him, served on The Baptist Hospital Advisory Board, Learning About Learning, The Human Society, Beta Gamma Sigma, and multiple other non-profit organizations. His love for animals was unsurpassed. He adopted, loved, and cherished so many dogs and cats, including current pet, Freddy, who sat in his lap and on his bed during his final days. He gave time and love to friends without reservation and cherished the many groups of friends who surrounded him-the Panchito's breakfast group, the Paesano's lunch group, the afternoon Seasons 52 group, The Argyle dinner group, and more.

His dignity and charm were compelling; he was chosen as escort to Miss America, Mary Ann Mobley, during her reign. He achieved Eagle Scout (reached by only 4% of Scouts) at the earliest age possible, and in the shortest time possible. Burr's family asks those who choose to consider a donation in his memory to the San Antonio Humane Society, 4804 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229.