forMichaelBurke

From: Bonnie Anspach (August 2005)

Tom, Bette and Family,

I didn't travel with the Central Golf Team but Bob tried to go to the meets when he wasn't working. He remembers that Michael ALWAYS encouraged the under classmen. Bob told me Michael never said anything negative always saying (after a "not so good shot") "just forget it, the next one will be better." So like Michael.

Michael's senior year and I was in full swing doing my volunteer work with the music department and Bobby had just finished singing something for Craig Wilkins. Bobby ran out of the music room yelling "Mom, Mom! Wilk called me his little Michael Burke!" He was grinning from ear to ear.

I spent a lot of time that year at school and noticed a young lady that I didn't know at the lockers. I didn't know her because she wasn't in band or show choir or any activities for that matter. She didn't have nice clothes. No one paid any attention to her. I noticed that Michael would always say hello if they were at the lockers at the same time. Sometimes he would say a few words. After a few weeks I observed this young lady making a point of being at the lockers or in the hallway when Michael was there so she could get a hello and a few kind words. In my heart I know that this was the highlight of her day and I would always say to myself "Thank you, Michael."I've thought of this from time to time throughout the years. That is one of my favorite memories.

Bonnie Anspach