Carrol E. Burchinal

Carrol Burchinal, Bismarck, died November 23, 2018 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N 6th St, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 27 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Carrol was born August 14, 1930, the son of Clark and Rita (Hamilton) Burchinal, in Spivey, Kansas. At the age of 8, he moved with his family, to Wichita, Kansas, graduating from Wichita High School North in 1949. Upon graduation, he became an apprentice printer, a trade he began learning in junior high school. He enlisted in the US Coast Guard in November 1950 and was discharged in November 1953. Carrol married Darlene Baird on November 4, 1951, in Kechi, Kansas. After his discharge from the Coast Guard, they returned to Kansas and he continued working as a printer. Carrol attended Pittsburg State College in Pittsburg, Kansas, where he received his BS Degree with a major in Industrial Arts in 1960; and a MS Degree with a major in Industrial Education and minor in Administration in 1962. After college graduation he started his 34-year education career at Cherokee County High School, in Columbus, Kansas; where his first assignment was to establish and teach a new vocational printing program. He was appointed the director of a new area vocational-technical school in Salina, Kansas. He moved to Bismarck in 1968 to work for the ND State Board for Vocational Education. He held a variety of positions with the state board, including supervisor of trade and industrial education, assistant state director, and state director and executive officer, the position he held for 22 ½ years until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of various professional organizations, and was past president of the Kansas Vocational Association, the Kansas Council of Local Administrators, the National Association of State Directors of Vocational Technical Education, and the National Professional Development Consortium, Inc. he was a life member of the North Dakota Vocational Association and the American Vocational Association and was honored State Director Emeritus. An avid camper, he was a member of the National Campers and Hikers/Family Campers & RV Association. He served on the organization’s executive board and trustees and held several offices, including national vice president. Carrol was a foster parent for 37 years, retiring at age 80. He and Darlene cared for approximately 260 children. He enjoyed sharing his foster parenting experiences with other foster parents, especially those who were new. He was a member of a team of foster parents and social workers who teach classes for new foster and adoptive parents. He was a member of the ND Foster Parents and National Foster Parents Associations. He was a past president of the state association. The Burchinals were recognized as North Dakota Foster Parents of the Year in 2002 and 2007. He served on several foster parent committees and advisory councils. He and Darlene were recognized by United Way for their service to children with the Lifetime of Caring Award in 2010. In 2016 he was presented with the Angels in Adoption Award by Senator Heidi Heitkamp in Washington, DC. Carrol served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a member of the American Legion. He was a member of the McCabe United Methodist Church and served on many church committees. He enjoyed being with his family, friends, camping, and traveling. He is survived by his  son, Brad (Pam) Burchinal, Bismarck; his daughters, Lisa (Hilary) Wald, Bismarck, and Letoya Whitelightning, Bismarck; seven grandchildren, Uriah Burchinal, Joshua (Missy) Burchinal, Chad (Stephanie) Burchinal, Tenille (John) Hedahl, Mark Wald, Kelsey (Adam) Bartholomew, and Skye Wald; his great grandchildren, Taylor, Caleb, Jacob, Mikayla, Makenna, Gyeneveve, Grace, Elijah, Carter, Jack, Lucy and Oliver; a special friend, Carol Peterson and her family; his special godson, Andy Tosseth and family; brother-in-law, Ronnie Baird; nephew Calvin Baird and family; as well as many, many foster children who’s lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Darlene; his parents, his son, Michael; and grandson, Ezra.