Dr. Edward J. Burkhard, Jr

OBITUARY

Dr. Edward J. Burkhard, Jr., MD, of Allentown, PA, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. He was born April 2, 1933, in Johnstown, PA, the only child of the late Edward J. and Marie (Ellsworth) Burkhard. He graduated from Johnstown Central Catholic (current Bishop McCort) High School in 1951, Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences in 1954 (cum laude) and Georgetown Medical School in 1958. After his internship and general surgery residency at Providence Hospital in D.C., he entered the US Air Force where he met his future wife, Florine J. Copley. They were married a few years later in May 1963 and thus began a long and cherished friendship that grew stronger with every passing decade.

Deciding surgery was not a desirable pursuit for him, he returned to Providence Hospital for a year of general pathology residency where he found his true calling. After completing his residency at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, he accepted a position in the Pathology Department of Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA where he worked for the next 26 years. Here he forged friendships that would last his lifetime.

Born, raised and educated as a Catholic, he has been a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church since his arrival in Allentown in 1967. He was an avid golf enthusiast and was a member of Brookside Country Club since 1978. Music also played an important role in his life, and he was a loyal supporter and contributor to Allentown’s Community Music School and the WWFM Classical Music Station.

Survivors: He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Burkhard.

Services: A Christian Memorial Mass will be Celebrated, 11 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, PA. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Wescosville, PA. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, PC, Allentown. Please go to https://www.bkrfh.com to view full obituary.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions would be greatly appreciated to St. Thomas More Church and/or Allentown’s Community Music School (https://cmslv.org)