Henry Robert Burke | 1940-2012: Historian shared knowledge of Civil War era

From the Columbus Dispatch : Henry Robert Burke | 1940-2012: Historian shared knowledge of Civil War era

The glimpses of history that Henry Robert Burke brought to light can be seen around southeastern Ohio.
Thanks to his research, visitors to the Belpre Historical Society’s museum along the Ohio River can view the southeastern Ohio Underground Railroad exhibit.
Because of his volunteer classroom lectures, local students have learned more about Underground Railroad sites in their area.
The area historian and author died of a heart attack Saturday in Marietta Memorial Hospital. Burke was 72 and lived in Marietta.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in the Leavitt funeral home in Belpre.
Born in Columbus, Burke served nine years in the U.S. Army, part of it stationed in West Germany during the Cold War. He also worked for 35 years as a construction foreman.
He researched and wrote about the Underground Railroad, the clandestine route of safe houses and abolitionists that led escaped slaves to freedom.
He also wrote about the approximately 200 African-American men from Washington County and surrounding counties known to have enlisted to fight in the Civil War with the United States Colored Infantry.
He researched other Civil War history, profiled area historical figures, and wrote columns for Marietta newspapers.
Burke was recognized for his scholarship by the Ohio legislature and historical and educational organizations.
He was a humble man who enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others, said Amanda Mayle of Chesterhill in Morgan County, who met Burke through a shared interest in Underground Railroad history.
“The world has just lost a great treasure,” she said yesterday.
Thanks to his knowledge and passion about the Underground Railroad and life in Civil War-era Ohio, Ohioans have a fuller understanding of this time in history, Andy Verhoff, local history coordinator at the Ohio Historical Society, wrote in an email yesterday.
“It’s not just his knowledge, however, that made him stand out — it was his desire to share it, and that he did so generously and good-naturedly,” Verhoff wrote.
Burke’s website includes his work at www.henryrobertburke.com.