Class of 1874
JOSEPH CHESTER BURKE

Professor Burke was born October 31, 1853, in Middletown, Conn., where he died, at his father’s home, June 27, 1885.  His career seemed but just begun; but he lived long enough to show the worth of patient earnest scholarship, and the charm of a most gentle and winning Christian character.

After graduation, he remained in College as a post-graduate student of chemistry and natural history far one year. In the fall of 1875 he went to Wilbraham as teacher of natural sciences, which position he filled very successfully for four years. In 1879 he returned to Middletown to take the place of Assistant in Physics in Wesleyan University, which place he exchanged in 1881 for that Of Assistant in Natural History. In 1882 he was elected Professor of Natural Science in the Lasell Seminary, Auburndale, Mass. He, entered upon his work here with great interest, and at once proved himself here, as he had before done at Wilbraham, not only an accurate and earnest scholar, but a most excellent instructor. But his health had already began to fail, and in the spring of 1885 he was obliged to leave his work, and come home to his father’s house to die.

Mr. Burke has laid all the Alumni of Wesleyan University under lasting obligations, by his work of editing the last edition of the Alumni Record. . No better man could have been found for that task. He had a genius for taking pains, a tireless industry, and a trained habit of accuracy.  The record of the Alumni which he prepared is probably as nearly complete and accurate as any work of that kind can ever be.

His personal character was peculiarly pure, winning, and transparently sincere.  He never had an enemy; and no one could know him without being his friend.  Thoroughly unselfish, always quietly considerate of the wants of others, and absolutely truthful, he seemed a model of the gentle Christian graces.  And though he made little mere outward show of it, he had much quiet power and persistence.  The estimate placed upon his character by all who knew him is well expressed in a touching notice of him by Principal Bragdon, of the Lasell Seminary:

“And now we send to rest our co-worker and teacher, Joseph C. Burke, beloved and esteemed in full measure by us who had the privilege of his fellowship in these last three years, during which he went in and out among us.  He was undemonstrative, but his influence was felt everywhere.  The teachers. will miss his clear, charitable judgments, his amiable, genial manners.  The pupils will miss his friendly advice, earnest teaching, and manly example;  The prayer-meeting will miss his constant presence, loving prayer, and faithful testimony,—his gentle, John like spirit.  The city will miss his intelligent interest in its scientific circles. I t goes without saying, that his end was peace. In Middletown, at his father’s house, surrounded by his dear ones,— 'calm as summer evenings be,’—came his gentle translation.”

Source:  Obituary Record of Alumni of Wesleyan University for the Academic Year Ending June 24, 1886, Middletown, Conn. 1886