Jennifer (Umbarger) Vogler presented Richard Burke, Class of 1966, with the Alumni Achievement Award.
Richard Burke was this year’s recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award for his years of dedication to the Rock Port community. Richard and his wife, Jan, were joined by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, from left to right: Alex Burke, Aidan Burke, Aron Burke, Paityn Alberti, Nova, Journi Burke, Jamie Burke, and Joanna Burke.
The Class of 1966 was the 60 year honor class at the Rock Port High School Alumni Banquet May 30, 2026. Pictured, from left to right, are: Randy Sweeton, Wanda (Lawless) Smith, Janet (Grable) Athen, Paul Fuelling, Richard Burke, and Kenny Lee.
The Class of 1976 was the 50 year honor class. Pictured, from left to right, are: front row – Kelly Lutz, Jackie (Wolf) Berg, Bob Taylor, Rick Shaw, Sean Easley, Doug Thompson, and Reed Beasing; and back row – Sandy Casebolt, Cheryl (Heckel) Duckworth, Lori (Bogenreif) Kent, Steve Ellison, Cathy (McMahon) Roup, Tammy (Garst) Creten, Julie (Shineman) Sutherland, and Craig Corken.
Kelly Daugherty, left, and Todd King, right, represented the Class of 1986, the 40 year honor class.
The Class of 2006 was the 20 year honor class. Pictured, from left to right, are Amber Graham, Anna (Mendenhall) Gore, and Laura (Thomas) Sode.
The Class of 2016 was the 10 year honor class. Pictured, from left to right, are: Jade Lemmon, Chloe (Sierks) Thompson, Nick Herron, Colby Linthicum, and Josh Lucas.
Journi Burke traveled the farthest, from North Carolina, to attend the Rock Port High School Alumni Banquet.
Shirley Stoner received a gift for being the most senior alum at the banquet.
Emma Teten, Class of 2026, is pictured taking the oath of the Rock Port High School Alumni Association, given by Class of 1999 and alumni committee member Jennifer (Umbarger) Vogler.
Other alumni in attendance but not pictured are: Jamie Burke, Class of 1996; Erica (Corken) Barnes, Class of 2001; and Jeanne (Walker) Garst, Class of 1956.
The Rock Port High School Alumni Association held a gathering Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the high school gymnasium.
Lynn Hunter welcomed those present and Emma Teten, a member of the Class of 2026, gave the invocation. Members of the 2026 Alumni Committee were Lynn Hunter, Marlene Demott, Malisa Linthicum, Jennifer Vogler, and Eric Chamberlain.
Journi Burke was recognized for traveling the farthest.
Shirley (Lawless) Stoner, Class of 1955, was recognized as the oldest alumna present.
The honored classes were 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2016, and the graduating class of 2026.
The 2026 Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Richard Burke. The following speech was given by Jennifer Vogler at the Rock Port High School Alumni Banquet.
“Richard Burke graduated from Rock Port High School in 1966. He enlisted into the military, and after having served his country in the United States Army, he returned to Rock Port.
“He then immediately took a job at REA where he worked for two years serving the public by keeping the lights turned on.
“Richard then found his calling – that was the Rock Port Telephone Company. This was back when there were only four to six employees total. Again, he faithfully served the public for nearly 40 years. And when I say served the public, not only did he keep everyone’s phones working, his children remember him being called out at all times of day or night to go out to someone’s house or down to the switch room to get their telephone working again.
“Another position where Richard was able to serve was during a stint as North Ward representative on the City Council in the 1980s, always trying to keep our town up-to-date and running.
“Now we cannot talk about what Richard has given to our community without talking about his contribution to youth sports. He was a founding member of the Rock Port Optimist Club, now known as the Rock Port Youth Athletics Association. This club provided opportunities for youth to participate in flag football, baseball and the Little Blue Jay Track Meet. Richard and the club, along with many volunteers, spent countless hours working on the baseball fields at the city park. They were making sure that they were up to Rock Port standards. Richard also coached many flag football and baseball teams. Not only did he coach his own children, but after Aron and Jamie had graduated and were out of the house, Richard coached Little League baseball teams in the mid to late 90s just because they needed someone to coach them.
“Then the C.A.B.A. baseball championships started in Atchison County. Richard and those other volunteers were present at all the games, getting the fields ready before and in between games and drying them out to play make-up games. Richard was so dedicated to the C.A.B.A. organization that he planned his vacations around the tournament. Not a vacation for him to go on a trip out of town or lounge around, no, he was representing his hometown of Rock Port to the entire world.
“Richard’s sports contributions were not just in youth sports, but in high school as well. He served as the public address announcer for home Rock Port football games, Blue Jay Relays and the conference track meets held at Blue Jay Stadium for over 20 years. And during away games, do we remember the colorful commentary for the television broadcast by Jay Erdman, Bill Andrews, and Richard? You can still see Richard supporting the local Rock Port Blue Jays, whether that’s pacing the visitor sidelines during a football game or home volleyball and basketball games where he can be seen sitting on the top row next to Curt Vogler and Marlene Demott. He also attends the baseball games and followed the girls’ basketball team to Columbia during their most recent Final Four appearances.
“Finally, when retirement came calling, Richard still had the passion for service. He decided to run for South District County Commissioner. He was able to bring representation back to Rock Port. Richard still serves on the county commission to this day.
“In addition to all of Richard’s accomplishments and contributions over the years, we can’t forget that he also brought his wife, Jan, into our community. Jan was a dedicated educator and coach for the Blue Jays for many years. His children, Aron and Jamie, both returned to the community and are heavily involved as well.”
