Robert Conrad Burkholz

Robert Conrad Burkholz, 50, of Kalamazoo, died suddenly from complications of diabetes on Thursday, May 24, 2007, at his home in Portage, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May, 30, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Douglas W. Vernon officiating. Visitation is from 1:00-2:00 PM, Wednesday, at the funeral home, and from 6:00- 8:00 PM, Tuesday, May 29, at First United Methodist Church, 212 South Park, Kalamazoo. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association Research Program. Those wishing to send a condolence message online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Bob was born December 4, 1956, in Benton Harbor, to R.J. and Zoe Shaffer Burkholz. In 1975, he graduated from Lake Michigan Catholic High School and went on to receive an A.B. degree in 1979 from the University of Michigan. He then received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Law School in 1982 with special recognition for first place honors from the American Bar Association in a nationwide Constitutional Law competition. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1982 on motion of his first employer John R. LaParl of Kalamazoo. On January 1, 1989, he was made a member of the Kalamazoo law firm of Bennett, LaParl and Burkholz, P.C, which later merged with Plunkett & Cooney of Detroit where he worked until establishing his successful, solo law practice in Kalamazoo in the early 1990’s. He tried numerous law suits in the State and Federal courts of West Michigan. He participated in many alternative national dispute forums including Arbitrations, Facilitative Mediations, Summary Jury Trials and Case Evaluations. Bob was an award winning author, an ICLE Partnership/Lecturer, was admitted into practice in all Michigan courts, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He served on the Insurance Law Committee for the State Bar of Michigan. He was a member of the Insurance Coverage Committee of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association. He was a member of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, the Michigan Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He was an active member of the Portage Rotary, the Michigan Blind Athletic Association and First United Methodist Church where he was Head Usher and served on the Finance Committee, as well as Boy Scout Leader of Pack 287. Bob grew up in Higman Park and loved boating and all things connected with Lake Michigan. While in college during summers, he worked at Modern Plastics, Whirlpool Corporation and as a marine deputy for Sheriff Nick Jewel. He was a devoted fan of University of Michigan football and the Chicago White Sox where he had special seats behind home plate for himself and his beloved sons. He was a wonderful and loving son, brother and father. He is survived by his two sons, Michael and Alex Burkholz of Portage, MI, parents R.J. and Zoe S. Burkholz of Benton Harbor, MI, sister Susan Burkholz of South Bend, IN; former wife and mother of his children, Barbara Burkholz of Portage, MI, his aunts and uncle including D.R. Shaffer of Wildwood, FL, Mrs. Peggy Lee Doctor of Glenview, IL, Kathryn Burkholz and Betty Burkholz of Benton Harbor, MI and several cousins. He was predeceased by his Aunt Carolyn (Jean) Chinick.