Glenn Marold Burnham

Glenn Burnham of Lewiston, Utah, formerly of Monte Vista, Colorado, and a Native of the San Luis Valley, died on Sunday, October 22, 2023, in Logan, Utah.

Glenn Marold Burnham was born on January 30, 1935, in Del Norte, Colorado, the only son of Robert and Evelyn Burnhan. His preschool childhood was spent in the Center, Colorado, community and on a nearby farm. In 1941, the family moved to Monte Vista, and he graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1953. He earned both the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and, later, the Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Glem married Shirley Marie Jones in 1956. The couple had two daughters, Pamela and Cindy.

Glenn Burnham served his country in the United States Army, was a public school teacher and principal, and for 17 years, held faculty and administrative positions at Adams State College, including eight years as Vice President for Academic Affairs and a year and a half, as Interim President of the College. He left Adams State in 1989 to accept the position of vice President for Academic and Student Affairs of the System of State Colleges in Colorado located in Denver, which at the time included Adams State, Mesa State, Metropolitan State, and Western State colleges.

In 1990, Glenn was appointed President of the System of State Colleges in Colorado and served until his retirement in 1994. He and Shirley moved to a mountain home near Bailey, and for three years, Glenn worked part-time with Adams State transfer programs in the Denver area community colleges.

After Shirley's death in 1999, He moved to Arizona. He remarried in 2003, and he and his wife, Kerry Jean, moved back to the San Luis Valley and Monte Vista and recently relocated to Lewiston, Utah.

Glenn was active in several professional organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and served a term as chairman of the Associated Public College and University Presidents in Colorado. He traveled extensively, working for a time with the Partners of the Americas in Brasil (Brazil) at the Federal University of San Joa del Rei in the State Minas Gerais. Glenn also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Adams State Foundation, and he and his wife, Kerry, have supported the Foundation financially for many years. Glenn was honored by Adams State with the 2007 Billy Adams Award. The highest service award given by the University.

In his personal life, Glenn was a nurturing and supportive father and husband, an avid runner, skier, and fisherman. Growing up, he spent much time on the Marold ranch near Saguache, owned by his mother's family for generations. He often said this experience was the most important of his life.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Kerry Jean, whom he always called his right hand, "and left, too," his daughters Pamela and Cindy, and his grandchildren, Robert Sturdevant and Nathan Barela. Moreover, Glenn would not ever forget his 16-year love affair with Sadie, his beloved Bearded Collie always at his side.

At his request, no funeral services will be conducted. Please share a favorite memory of Glenn or offer condolences to the family by leaving a tribute on this page.