The Empty Chair

CLEVELAND, August 24 — BLET member Todd Burckhard, 35, was killed in the line of duty on August 19 when the crew van he was riding in was involved in a collision near Frazer, Mont.

Brother Burckhard was a BNSF locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 695 in Minot, N.D. He first joined the Brotherhood on November 1, 2010. He had about seven years of railroad experience.

Also killed in the accident was BNSF conductor Blaine Mack, 56, who had more than 36 years of service with the railroad.

The crew van driver, a contractor, was hospitalized for minor injuries. The crew van was traveling westbound on Highway 2 when it was struck by an eastbound pickup truck operating in the westbound lane of traffic.

“This tragedy is an example of the risks our members face each and every day in crew van transportation,” BLET National President Dennis Pierce said. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the Burckhard family, particularly Brother Todd’s wife and two young children. This tragedy has deeply touched our BLET family in Minot and I want them to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers as well.”

Brother Burckhard is survived by his wife, Corrie; children Marty and Mattson; parents David and Peggy Burckhard; grandparents; and several brothers and sisters.

There will be a prayer service today at 7:00 p.m. in St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Minot, N.D. A funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, August 24) at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to an educational fund for Brother Burckhard’s children, c/o their mother, Corrie Burckhard, 1510-12th St. SE, Minot, ND 58701.

Tragically, Brother Burckhard is the sixth BLET member killed in the line of duty thus far in 2011 (Stanley L. Watts, February 8, 2011l; Thomas J. Kenny, March 23, 2011; Tom Anderson, April 17, 2011; Christopher L. Carter, May 1, 2011; and James G. Hadden, May 24, 2011).

Wednesday, August 24, 2011
bentley@ble.org