League League baseball is mourning the loss of Dick Burleson, who died last Saturday. Here is his obituary.
Burleson, a longtime umpire who volunteered for years with the
South Kitsap Western Little League, will be remembered at a service
this Saturday (Oct. 16) at 1 p.m. at Crossroad Neighborhood Church
(7555 Old Military Rd NE, Bremerton). Donations in his name can be
made to Mabel has asked that donations be made to:
South Kitsap Western Little League
P.O. Box 32
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Joe Winniford, a local umpire who counted Burleson among his mentors, has asked umpires to wear their uniforms to the service. In an e-mail, Winniford wrote:
Dick was the Washington District 2 Chief Umpire for many years and one of my mentors along the way. While I took over his District position when he decided that the time was right, I never attempted to replace him. … I learned a tremendous amount from Dick about umpiring, Little League, and more importantly life and service to our community. Dick was a long supporter of not only District 2 but also South Kitsap Western Little League. Dick will be missed greatly but remembered well by those of us who knew him as we strive to measure up to the high bar he set.
