Herman Burkstaller

A graveside service will be held at South Park Cemetery in Roswell NM, Saturday, November 26 at 10:30 am. Services will be conducted by family and Roswell Veteran's Honor Guard.

Herman F. Burkstaller passed away at The UMC Hospital in Lubbock, TX on Friday, November 18, 2016. He was born September 17, 1922 in Roswell, NM. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1940 and joined the Air Force on August 8, 1940. Herman was sent to Lowry Field for Engineering school and when he graduated, he was eventually stationed in Kharagpur India in the Western Pacific. He was a Flight Engineer on a B-29 Bomber. When he returned to Roswell in 1945 he and his brother built a flying school. A few years later he went to work for Malco Refineries as a Pilot. Herman and his wife built a home on third street. His passion was in building, so he went into the building business, first with Hettington Lumber and then became a general Contractor with his office in Roswell. Herman was also a good tennis player and was a second runner up in NM Tennis in high school. Later in life he became a tennis professional in the USPTA. He and Roberta decided to start a children's tennis camp, they bought a beautiful place in Nogal, NM. Herman taught tennis for about seven years; then he went to work at the Inn of the Mountain Gods and was the Director of tennis. He was president of the USPTA and they made him an honorary member for the rest of his life. Herman was in Who's Who of American inventions having a patent for a new tennis court surface design. Through the years he was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a member of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. In 1991 he and his wife moved to Elida and retired.

His survivors , are Damon Burkstaller, Douglas Blake Burkstaller and his wife Sandra Linn Burkstaller and four girls Jennifer and husband Chance with children Daniel, Davis and Dalton, Jessica and husband Kenneth and two children Kelbie and Bryson, Janelle Burkstaller and Janette Burkstaller, Debrah Burkstaller Smith and husband Burton C. Smith their three children Burton and wife Barbara with three children Kevin, Kris and Kelly, Summer and her husband Charlie with two children Savannah and Chloe and Crosby and his wife Csilla with two children Sophie and Crosby. Also surviving him are close family friends Louis Carveo and Penny his wife. Herman was preceded in death by his wife Roberta Burkstaller; mother and father Mr. and Mrs. Herman Burkstaller Sr.; his brother Harry Burkstaller and sister Agnus Crouse.

The family request that memorial contributions be made to the Veteran's organization of their choice.

Service

Cemetery