Franklin A. Burke, formerly of Doylestown
Franklin A. Burke, age 83, formerly of Doylestown and recently of Peoria, Arizona, died February 17 at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Arizona. He was born March 12, 1934 in Topeka, Kansas, to John Wesley and Dorothy Mae (Crans) Burke. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth K (Chapin) Burke, son Robert (Sharon), daughter Sally Badali, and granddaughter Angelina Badali. Surviving siblings include brother Clayton E Burke (Suzanne) and sister Barbara L Burke. He was predeceased by daughter Jennifer Burke and brothers John N Burke (Patty) and Daniel D Burke (Mary).
Frank graduated in the summer of 1955 with a degree in Business Administration from Kansas State College (now University) and entered the US Air Force in April 1956. In his eight years with the Air Force he became a multiengine pilot, achieved his master’s in finance at the University of Colorado, and served at Olmstead AF Base in Pennsylvania before becoming chief of the contract management office at the U S Embassy in London England. While there, he took additional advanced economics courses at the London School of Economics, which complimented his growing interest in the investment industry.
Frank left the Air Force in 1964 to open a small securities brokerage firm “Burke, Lawton & Company” with business partner Nicholas Lawton, in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Later, in 1971, he founded a companion investment management firm, Venture Securities Corporation, to provide necessary investment management services for clients of the brokerage firm. These firms combined and grew to become what is now BLB&B Advisors, a full-service investment management company in Spring House, Pennsylvania, serving clients in 44 states and several countries.
Before their recent move to Arizona, Frank and Elizabeth lived for more than 50 years in the greater Philadelphia area, first settling in Ambler, and then in Doylestown in 1969. During that period his contributions to the community were numerous. He served for 28 years as member and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of The Williamson College of the Trades in Media, PA—helping Williamson provide free technical and trade skill education for economically disadvantaged boys. During this time, he not only managed Williamson’s main endowments; he also became one of Williamson’s major financial supporters. He purchased and operated the Omega Institute in Pennsauken, N.J.--a technical school helping non-traditional students re-enter the work force. While long time members of Pleasantville United Church of Christ in Chalfont, Frank held many leadership roles and helped to establish a fund providing educational scholarships and financial support to many in need within the congregation. They also directed significant gifts to the Lancaster Theological Seminary before and after his service on the Seminary’s Board of Trustees. He and Elizabeth also made significant philanthropic endowments for his alma mater Kansas State University. In addition, they have generously contributed college scholarship funds to the Ellis Foundation. Frank served on several private boards of banks and public companies.
Frank was an avid collector of classic automobiles and enjoyed his time greatly with members of the Delaware Valley Antique Automobile Club. He also enjoyed travelling with his wife Elizabeth both overseas and in his motorhome among the states.
A memorial service to honor Franklin A. Burke has been scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday April 14 at Pleasantville United Church of Christ, 3424 Limekiln Pike, Chalfont PA 18914, ph:215-8222293.; visitations will be held at the church on Friday, April 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday April 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts in Frank’s honor be made to Williamson College of the Trades, 106 S. New Middletown Road, Media PA 19063, ph:610566-1766.