Richard W. Burnett

Richard William Burnett
July 1, 1943 ~ April 20, 2024

Richard William Burnett, 80, of Salina, KS, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Richard was born in Passaic, NJ on July 1, 1943 to William P. Burnett and Catherine E. Burnett (Bistritz). After graduating from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ, Richard attended Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1965. Soon after, he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. He returned to the U.S., honorably discharged, and began a 52-year career in social work. While working for the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services in New York, NY, Richard received his Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in 1972.

Richard left the East Coast for landlocked Salina, KS in 1975 after accepting the role of Vice President of Clinical Services at St. Francis Academy. He worked at St. Francis for nearly twenty years. While at St. Francis, Richard met and fell in love with the farmer’s daughter of his dreams, Donna Cooprider. Richard was now permanently a Kansan.

Richard and Donna were married on September 15, 1984, at Christ Cathedral in Salina surrounded by friends and family from near and far. Together they raised two children, Deidre Elizabeth Knight (Burnett) and Payson Cooprider Burnett.

The positive impact Richard imparted on the lives of many can be felt through the communities he served as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker in Salina and Junction City, KS. Richard and Donna opened Family Care Center of Junction City in 1993 while Richard continued to serve clients in Salina at Veridian Behavioral Health Services (formerly Counseling and Growth). Richard never retired from Family Care Center as he never felt his work was “work” a day in his life.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, oldest brother William and sister-in-law Marge. Richard is survived by his wife Donna, brother Robert (fiance Betty) of Lyndhurst, NJ, sister-in-law Blanca of St. Pete Beach, FL, daughter Deidre Knight (Jesse) of Council Grove, KS, and Payson Burnett (Morgan) of Virginia Beach, VA.

A memorial service for Richard will be held Friday, April 26 at Ryan Mortuary in Salina, KS at 11 AM. Lunch will follow at Salina Country Club. Please help us spread the kindness of Richard’s generous heart. Memorials can be made in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th Street, Salina, KS 67401 to Salina Shares or Salina Mennonite Church.