Katherine West (Kathy) Burkhart, 77, died on March 29, 2021, at Blacksburg.
She was born in Roanoke on February 12, 1944, the daughter of James L. W. West, Jr., and Kate Bradley West.
After graduating from Blacksburg High School in 1962, Kathy earned her bachelor’s degree in music from Mary Baldwin College in 1966 and her master’s degree in humanities from Hollins College in 1976.
She was employed as an elementary music teacher in the public schools of Montgomery County (1967-68 and 1970-73) and Virginia Beach City (1968-69). A member of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church since 1957, Kathy served two tenures as organist and retired as the associate organist in 2000. After retirement she continued as substitute organist and as a choir member. Kathy taught piano and organ in her private studio in Christiansburg (1973-84) and in Blacksburg (1990-2012). Her professional memberships included The Virginia Music Teachers Association (Highlands Chapter President, 1993-95), The American Guild of Organists (Virginia Highlands Chapter, Sub-Dean 1993 and Newsletter Editor 1984-86), The National Guild of Piano Teachers, The Organ Historical Society, and the Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society.
Kathy was a tutor in English as a Second Language for Literacy Volunteers and served as an ESL teacher in the Worksite Literacy Program at Rowe Furniture Company from 2002 to 2004.
She found great joy in performing, teaching, and tutoring and also enjoyed speaking Spanish and watching foreign-language films. She married Harold Burkhart on June 12, 1971, and they enjoyed extensive international travel together, including a sabbatical year in New Zealand (1976-77). During that year Kathy continued pursuing her passion for music and teaching by establishing a private piano studio in Rotorua and guiding a class of beginning students through their initial year of instruction.
Predeceased by her parents, James L.W. West, Jr., and Kate Bradley West, Kathy is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Harold Burkhart of Blacksburg; their son, Qato Burkhart of Los Angeles, Calif.; her brother, James L.W. West III of Beaufort, S.C.; a brother-in-law, Ernest Burkhart of Braman, Okla.; and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held on July 31 at 10:30 a.m. at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Sarah Wiles officiating. Inurnment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, 701 Church St. SE, Blacksburg, VA 24060, or to Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley, 195 West Main St., Christiansburg, VA 24073. McCoy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
