Marvin Clarence Burkgren

Marvin Clarence Burkgren, 91, of Ashburn, VA, and a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, passed away in Overland Park, KS on Feb. 22, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), New Century Air Center, #6 Aero Plaza, New Century, KS 66031.

Marvin was born on a farm in Dayton, Iowa to Obed and Inez, in 1919, the second of eight children. After graduating from Dayton High School in 1937, he attended and received a degree from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. The skills he learned from the school in machine records proved valuable in his service during WWII where he served with the 65th Machine Records unit of the Eighth Air Force (the Mighty Eighth). He was awarded the Bronze Star during the war. He had a 20 year military career, including overseas tours of duty in Italy and Austria. He worked in real estate in Northern Virginia after retiring from the army.

Marvin was a founding member of the American Air Museum in Duxford, England, and had a life membership in the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. He had a long time interest in flying as seen by his support of the Iowa Air Aviation museum, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Georgia and his membership in the Heart of America Wing Commemorative Air Force (CAF).
His wife of 53 years, an English war bride, Janet, preceded him in death in 1999.

He is survived by his daughters, Joan (son-in-law Steve Nichols) and Marlene Burkgren of Virginia, two granddaughters, Heather Roman (Chris) of New York, Cindy Argel (Mike) of Virginia, four great-grandchildren, Lisa and Emily Roman, Luke and Selina Argel, Iowa brothers: Omar and Robert Burkgren, sisters, Wilma Aspholm, Katherine Zoss and Irma Licht, numerous cousins, nieces and nephew, and his friend and companion Marilyn Walz of Olathe, KS.