More detail on this person: Lafayette Journal &
Courier, Sept. 11, 2011
Floyd Ray Burchett, 65, of Battle Ground, died at
his residence on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, after a
lengthy illness.
He was born on May 13, 1946, in Tippecanoe
County, graduated from Battle Ground High School
in 1964 and Purdue University in 1968. He was
attending The Ohio State University School of
Physical Therapy when drafted into the Army in
1969. He later earned his master's from Webster
University, St. Louis, and was an honor graduate
of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff
College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
While assigned to the U.S. Army Special Forces at
Fort Bragg, N.C., he was tendered appointment into
the Medical Service Corps to attend rotary wing
flight school. After graduating from flight
school, he was assigned to aeromedical evacuation
pilot duties in Vietnam where he earned several
awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal for Valor, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
with Silver Star and Master Aviator Wings from the
Army. He retired from the Army in 1988.
He later accepted an administrative position at
Purdue University, from which he retired in 2003.
He was also elected Tippecanoe Township
trustee/assessor from 1991 to 2003.
Mr. Burchett enjoyed sports, gardening, and
fishing. He was a qualified parachutist and was
certified in scuba diving. He was a lifetime
member of the DUSTOFF Association for medical
evacuation pilots and crewmembers, Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association, American Legion and
Disabled American Veterans Association.
Surviving with his wife, Suzanne Kotowski
Burchett, are two daughters, Bridget Patterson
(husband: James) and Jennifer Burchett; three
sisters, Marjorie Sands (husband: John), Virginia
Collins (husband: Bill), both of Lafayette, and
Shirley Brooks (husband: Randy) of Decatur,
Ill.
Also surviving are 3 grandchildren and several
nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, Floyd C. and E.
Pearl Treece Burchett, and 2 sisters, Ethel
Kiser-Hopkins and Mary Jo Burchett.
A memorial visitation will take place from 10-11
a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, with a memorial
service to follow at 11 a.m., at Hippensteel
Funeral Home, Monsignor Robert Sell officiating.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 11/02/2023
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