KMKC Mourns the Loss of Michael J. Burke January 29, 1943-December 6, 2001

Michael J. Burke, 58, an attorney and one of Cincinnati’s most visible business and community leaders, died Thursday evening, December 6, at Christ Hospital of cancer. Mr. Burke, a resident of Mount Lookout, was a managing partner of the law firm of Keating, Muething & Klekamp, P.L.L., and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of KMK Consulting Company, LLC. John L. Muething, a founder of the law firm, said, "Mike was a true leader in this law office and a constant source of energy and inspiration to others, particularly the young lawyers. He will be sorely missed."

Mr. Burke’s business leadership reached far beyond Greater Cincinnati. Mr. Burke served on the Board of Directors of W/S Packaging Group, Algoma, Wisconsin; LSI Industries Inc.; Service Management Systems, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; United Audit Systems, Inc.; and many civic and charitable organizations. Don Klekamp, a 33-year partner of Mr. Burke’s, said, "Mike was an outstanding entrepreneurial business lawyer, but he was more than a lawyer to his clients. He was a confidante and trusted advisor."

Mr. Burke was married to Marcia Elliott Burke and they had five children: Tricia M. O’Hare, Chevy Chase, Maryland; Jennifer B. Hartman, Chicago, Illinois; Michael J. Burke, Jr., Brian E. Burke and Anne E. Burke, all of Cincinnati. Mr. Burke also had one grandchild, Mia Rose Hartman. Mike’s wife, Marcia, said, "Mike’s deep faith, strong character and courage enabled him to be a loving and caring husband, as well as a generous and wonderful father. He was the center of his family’s universe and he will be missed deeply."

Mr. Burke is also survived by his sisters and brother: Bonnie Thelen, Lakeside Park, Kentucky; Julie Lange, Lakeside Park, Kentucky; Patrick Burke, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Jayne Beiting, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. "Mike completely dedicated himself to making life better for his family, friends and the less fortunate. It’s what he loved and what he did with boundless energy," said Mike’s brother, Pat.

A graduate and salutatorian of Newport Central Catholic High School, he played on the basketball team and set a rebounding record that stood for years. He remained active in the leadership of educational and children’s service organizations after graduation from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Cincinnati Law School where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.

Mr. Burke was active in Our Lord Christ the King Parish, where he served as President of the Parish Council, and co-chaired its Capital Campaign to build a parish center and was President of the Education Commission. At Ursuline Academy of Cincinnati, he was a Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Long Term Planning Committee, and Chairman of its first Capital Campaign which changed the face of that campus. Shirley Speaks, the Executive Director of the Ursuline Foundation, said, "About fifteen years ago, after returning from a retreat, Mike Burke told me that he prayed about this while he was gone and that he felt confident that we could start an endowment fund and that we could build a theater. He was really the inspiration behind our first campaign in 1987. I really believe that Mike was the inspiration that made it happen."

In 1998, Mr. Burke was honored by Boys Hope/Girls Hope with the Heart of Gold Award. In 1991, he was honored as Man of the Year by the Cincinnati Club of the University of Notre Dame.

"Mike’s impact on community and business leaders can never be adequately measured. He was always focused on making a difference. This he did with impeccable success in everything he touched. While his journey of significance was cut short, his incredible spirit is forever ingrained in the lives of all who worked beside him," said Jim McGraw, his close friend and Managing Director of KMK Consulting.