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Got this update while out of the USA and could not update until today.........
Robert Burkitt, 81, of Cincinnati,Ohio, passed away January 21, 2023 at the Hospice of Cincinnati.
Bob was born October 2, 1941 in Portsmouth Ohio, the Son of Robert B. and Maxine C. Burkitt. He is survived by his Sisters Gayle Pamraning and Janice Burkitt Van Dyke, Nieces Linda (Jeff) and Sandra, Grand nieces Lauren and Julia and Grand nephew Jackson.
Bob was a 1959 graduate of Woodward High School where he served as class Vice President. He attended the University of Cincinnati receiving a Masters in Business Administration.
In 1960 Bob began working as a Co-Op Student at Cincinnati Tool Steel Gear and Pinion (Later Xtec) and retired from the corporation in 2014 with positions in Marketing and Technical support.
Bob was the consummate Automobile Enthusiast. In High School he constructed his Corvette Powered 1953 Studebaker and would spend Saturday mornings prowling the local junkyards for parts to incorporate into his Hot Rod.
After graduation from UC he began NHRA Drag Racing with his Behemoth 1962 Dodge. Bob and his team campaigned the racer across the United States and ended the year as the NHRA Stock Class World Champion Driver in Dallas Texas. In 1970 Bob was named a Top Ten Driver by Hot Rod Magazine. The team was sponsored under contract by Chrysler Corporation.
Bob loved playing Handball and played into his late 70's. When not on the Handball court he spent time restoring or improving his 1977 GMC Motorhome for club rallies, and eating at the local Cincinnati Chili Parlors.
Every couple of weeks Bob would donate platelets at the Hoxworth Blood center, a total of over 55 gallons.
Bob was a good friend, and will be missed by all those who knew him.
Donations in Bob's memory can be made to the American Stroke Foundation.
Posted online on July 07, 2023
Published in KY Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer
. https://www.cincinnati.com/obituaries/cen231318
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Bruce L. Oliver
Bob was an outstanding member of our 1959 graduating class. I would have contact with him throughout our years as undergraduate business and MBA students at the University of Cincinnati. I moved to Seattle to earn my PhD and lost contact with him. The above commentary indicates he continued with a very full, long, and positive life. I am sorry to learn that he is no longer a member of our thinning ranks. My very best to his family and friends.
Gary Lee Thornton
Bob was our Class VicePresident and a great guy. I had lunch with him in November and was surprised that he died so soon after our lunch as he was (as always) his cheerful and healthy self. Ironically he came in second with his '57 chevy against my '57 dodge in an impromptu drag race down Kenwood Road in the late fifties, only to become a national champion in a DODGE a few years later!
John Robert Pratte
I met Bob in our 7th grade homeroom. Remember the Tax Stamp program? I also remember Bob's class officer campaigns, his time as a lunchtime DJ, and his car doodles in class.
Since we both lived in Pleasant Ridge we spent a lot of time together as he worked on his Corvette powered 1953 Studebaker. We once had it up to 135 MPH on I-75. We both started in Engineering at UC and would carpool together. Bob later switched to Bus Ed. He was a great friend to my family. He taught my Brother to drive a stick shift.
In 1968 we teamed up to race, traveling the country to attend the major NHRA events. Bob drove, I wrenched.We did this for 5 years and had a ball. We were on top of the world! When Bob was transferred to Chicago he would drive to Cincinnati to race on weekends and stay at my apartment. When I was transferred to Chicago in 1975 I stayed with him for 6 months.I remember he was always really stocked up on Mountain Dew and Irish Spring soap.
When he was transferred back to Cincinnati we saw each other less frequently, usually at Skyline Chili, but would have long phone conversations usually reminiscing about our racing days.
The last time I saw Bob was a couple of days after his stroke and he was unresponsive. He passed a few days later. He was a dear friend fo 70 years and I'll miss him greatly. Rest in Peace Bob.
Your friend John
Bruce L. Oliver
To John Pratte:
Thank you for sharing your story here!
J. Kenneth (Ken) Richter
Enjoyed reading the postings about Bob on our In Memory Page.........and remembering the wonderful age we grew up in....One of my younger friends told me we were part of the "Origninal Teenagers." Reading about drag racing on I 75 in 1959 in a Studebaker with a Corvette engine.......WOW ! Bob could be rhe main character in a movie script about our youth.