Leonard Fuller, Cohort 1

From a voice on the phone, 16 years ago, to teacher, mentor and friend, thus was the progression of our relationship. I held Tim in such high esteem. He always represented the best in humanity with a passionate belief that goodness and kindness would ultimately prevail in every situation. Ethics, integrity, and faith were his core values. May his family continue to draw comfort from the support, love and prayers of family and friends. My life is better for having known Tim and now diminished at his passing.

Leonard Fuller, Cohort 1

Laurie Ward, Colleague

Stillness and grace...those two simple words are the words that come to mind when I think of Tim. We traveled many, many miles while working together as The Metanoia Group. He is my mentor, he is my friend. I remain heartbroken over the loss of Tim and continually find myself wanting to give him a quick call or send him an email just to touch base. The Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli song "The Prayer" will ALWAYS bring tears to my eyes...Tim said that the final moments of that song are "simply perfect" which they are indeed. Barb, my heart continues to mourn for you and your family. With gentle love, Laurie Ward

Laurie Ward, Colleague

S. Katherine Duval, SSND, Colleague

Tim was THE number one influence in helping me understand that development is first and foremost about building relationships, which he did so well - with compassion, energy, humor, generosity and patience. I worked with Tim when Mankato SSND hired Metanoia as our capital campaign consultant. Tim was instrumental in helping us reach our goal not only because of his expertise but also through exceptional dedication, boundless energy and wonderful creativity. Tim continued to serve as my mentor and helper through the years and just before his untimely death had offered to mentor our newly hired development director. This was Tim - always ready to help people grow, achieve their potential and make the world a better place. Along with so many, many friends and relatives, civic groups and organizations, who were touched by his expertise, goodness and love, I will miss Tim, too. My prayers especially for his wife and family. May our compasssionate God and the support and love of family members and friends be their source of strength and comfort in the days and weeks ahead. God bless, S. Katherine

S. Katherine Duval, SSND, Colleague

John Plante, Cohort 1

Having recently changed jobs and misplacing his phone number, I learned of Tim's passing upon going to the SMU webpage to get his number so I could call him. I was a member of the first cohort 16 years ago - a group that bonded very closely, with Tim at the center. Tim became a trusted advisor, mentor and friend to me, and we remained in close contact throughout the years, getting together whenever our paths crossed, most recently in Winona last summer. We shared a passion for baseball and the Dodgers, and I'll never forget him taking me into his basement at one of his famous P&D bbq's to show me the scorebook he used to keep as a kid when watching Dodger games on TV. That type of passion was reflected in everything Tim did, we are all better for having known him, and he will be greatly missed.

John Plante, Cohort 1

Wendy Zufelt-Baxter, Cohort 15

He always comforted me at the final banquet when it was time to leave all of our classmates. This past summer Tim came to me to see if I was okay. He never judged and you never needed to apologize for expressing emotion. It was not a weakness. After he asked if I was okay, I told him, I just hate goodbyes. He replied, "It is not goodbye Wendy, it is "See you next summer." Well Tim, I won't see you this summer and I will miss your passion and compassion. I will miss your open mind and enthusiasm for all that is ethical. I will remember your story to me about my hero Martin Luther King and your march. I will remember that we both had a love of motorcyles. I will remember the day in typical Wendy fashion I stated that I thought consultants were "parasites" before knowing you were a consultant and had a consulting firm. I will remember your response even more. You were not angry, you listened to me and asked me to explain. You helped me qualify my assertion to a more grey statement not so black. You did not attack me, you listened and learned and heard my passion and conviction. You taught me a great deal through this incident. You cried when reading my philanthropic autobiography and were not afraid to tell me that. You fanned my flame for philanthropy and helped me see the spitituality of my profession. It was you that I knew would be at our graduation. It was you I wanted to see in the crowd. It was you I wanted to acknowledge and introduce to my family. I hope to still feel your presence at my Capstone presentation and my graduation. I have cried and continue to mourn your passing AND not unlike you, am not afraid to admit that knowing you and losing you has had a profound affect on my life. With love and kindness, Wendy

Wendy Zufelt-Baxter, Cohort 15

Liz Evenson, Cohort 15

Tim Burchill was more than a faculty member; he was a generous mentor and friend. Cohorts 1-16 have had the incredible privilege of learning about the significance of philanthropy from Tim as he helped to shape our understanding of and potential impact in doing good work in our communities, states, nations and world. We have all been blessed to have known him. The last time I saw Tim was following last summer's P&D closing ceremony, at the farewell party held at Hillside. He was one of the few faculty members who came to celebrate with us students. As Tim was leaving, I approached him to say goodbye. But Tim was quick to correct me, saying, "This is not goodbye, it is until we meet again".Tim gave each of us a special gift that continues to grow. This summer and in the future, I look foward to seeing the many ways in which Tim's spirit will live on in each of us.

Liz Evenson, Cohort 15

Ken Fincher, Cohort 13

Tim Burchill came to see me when I tore the muscle in my leg during the first weekend of the P&D course. He was there when the doctor gave me three shots in the leg and he kept me laughing when I was in pain.I will always remember Tim's broad smile, gentle demeanor and wisdom. If I ever become just half the man Tim Burchill was, I will be a very happy man. I do know that the hurt I have been feeling about losing Tim, is rapidly being replaced with the joy of knowing that Tim is with God in a better place. May God bless and keep his family in the days ahead.

Ken Fincher, Cohort 13

Rosemary Salaz, Cohort 4

Words cannot express what I felt when I heard Tim had died! Even though I only had the experience of him as a teacher and Founder of P&D - he had a tremendous impact on me as a person. I never told him that because he was not one who liked to be praised, but I will always pray for him and love him! A glowing light has turned off at SMU.

Rosemary Salaz, Cohort 4

Roy Burchill, Brother

Tim and I lived 2,000 miles apart but that distance didn't deter us from having a very close relationship. I miss him dearly.I am proud to be Tim's brother. The comments on this blog as well as those that many of you shared with me last weekend made me realize what a profound and lasting impact Tim had on many people, not just on his family.While Tim's passing is very difficult to deal with, your thoughts have helped ease the pain. Thank you.

Roy Burchill, Brother

Janice Gow Pettey, Colleague

Tim served on AFP's ethics committee for a long time and I have had the honor to serve with him for seven years. Tim could always be counted on to offer thoughtful and thought-provoking comments during our meetings. On behalf of my colleagues on the committee we offer our condolences to Tim's family. His legacy will live on and the ethical light that Tim brought to us will continue to shine bright.

Janice Gow Pettey, Colleague

Bill Hallett, Colleague

I was deeply moved when I learned of Tim's passing. Tim was a dear colleague, friend and mentor. Our profession has lost an important leader and significant contributor, especially in matters related to ethics. Condolences to his family.

Bill Hallett, Colleague

Scherry Gilliland, Colleague

Tim was an inspiration to all of us in the fundraising profession, and he will live on through the countless men and women he taught both formally and informally throughout his lifetime. Tim's thoughtful guidance helped me determine the path I should take in graduate school, and I will be forever grateful for his advice. My prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with Tim's family in the loss of one so loved and respected by so many.

Scherry Gilliland, Colleague

Pam Hurd-Knief, Cohort 6

Tim was a constant presence during my time at SMU. From the Ethics class to "conversations with the cohorts," Tim's unflagging commitment to the P&D program and all of the students was amazing. When I became active with AFP in 2000, Tim's sage advice to take on only what I loved and to do the best job possible with what I did has served me so well. Of his many gifts of time, talent and advice, his most cherished gift to me will be having me replace him in the Fall of 2006 on the AFP International Ethics Committee. What a kind heart, generous and caring spirit and a wonderful friend w\'ve lost. Tim left so many with great memories of good times and lifelong learning.

Pam Hurd-Knief, Cohort 6

Jim Isaak, Cohort 12

Tim...calm, cool, and collected...until you got him on his Harley. I will never forget the summer of my second year in the P & D Program when Tim took me for a ride along the river bluffs of Winona and LaCrosse. It was spectacular!!!I am sorry we never did get together to golf...talked about it often enough. He could have taught me a thing or two on the golf course as well.I appreciated the professional advice. Somehow Tim knew the best advice he could offer was a good listening ear, and to let me figure it out for myself. God Bless Tim Burchill.

Jim Isaak, Cohort 12

Jim Burkhardt, Friend of the family

It was Tim Burchill who first introduced me to the wonders of popular music. My parents and his were in an informal bridge club that played once or twice a month. As a young 6 year old boy in 1960 and the game shifted to the Burchill's home in Mt Prospect IL, I'd usually be treated to the latest popular records coming from Tim's room. In fact, one of my favorite movies is "West Side Story" mainly because Tim had the soundtrack LP and I got hooked by the sounds of "Maria" and "Tonight". My favorite memory is one of him helping me learn to golf left handed - I was a switch hitter in baseball and a natural righty but hit better left handed. He let me practice on his left handed clubs one summer vacation in Crivitz, Wisconsin. Just goes to show that even as a young man, he took time to help a little preteen kid - an early indication of his kind, and giving spirit. I attended his wedding to Barb and remember very clearly their love and steadfast commitment to one another. As a couple one could tell they were soulmates. My prayers are with all the Burchills this sad night but tempered by the hope that a resurrected Lord Jesus offers to all mankind - the gift of eternal life in Heaven with all the saints.

Jim Burkhardt, Friend of the family

Vickie Cada, Colleague

Like so many others, Tim "took me under his wing" when he hired me to work for him at Saint Mary's. I admired and respected him and looked to him for professional support and counsel time and time again. So many of us use the word "mentor" to describe him. But beyond professional guidance, I looked to his friendship. Tim had the gift of being a wonderful listener. He was understanding, caring, and generous, and while his time on this Earth was far too short, I count myself blessed to have known the gift of his friendship for nearly 15 years.

Vickie Cada, Colleague

Peter Clifford, FSC

One of the finest things I did as President of Saint Mary's was to hire Tim Burchill to become Director of Development. He was an organized, intelligent young man, enthusiastic about his work and successful in cultivating people to know and respect Saint Mary's. He was a religious man, a devoted husband and father and a good friend. Saint Mary's will miss him sorely and so will I.

Peter Clifford, FSC, Colleague

Former student

Tim was a great impetus in "professionalizing" the field of development. He taught the class in ethics - a credit to Tim to making a point of the importance of ethics in non-profit work.

Former student

Sharon Maier, Cohort 16

I remember my first night at St. Mary's meeting Tim as he helped Jim carry in a box that was falling apart. His quick smile and bright eyes were the perfect welcoming committee for the hot July night that brought our cohort together. It seemed like he was St. Mary's he felt like the glue that held the program together. He pushed our cohort over and over again and also encouraged us. He had a knack for making us feel special and I'm sure he shared that skill with many. I feel blessed to have known him.

Sharon Maier, Cohort 16

Anonymous

I was on the Development Advisory Board for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mankato when he assisted the Sisters in their most recent fundraiser through the Metanoia Group to get a realistic and successful opportunity. I thank him as a former SMC grad and friend for his kindness and generosity to others.

Anonymous