December 1, 1933 – January 3, 2023
Irvin Burtzlaff loving husband, father and grandfather, 89 passed away peacefully at his home in Friendswood, Texas on January 3rd, 2023. He was born December 1, 1933 in St. Onge, South Dakota to Julius and Alice Burtzlaff. He was raised in Deadwood, South Dakota and graduated from high school in 1952. Irvin was a great athlete in high school and college. He loved all sports, fishing, golfing and hunting. He completed two years of College at Black Hills State University. On May 27,1954 he married Janet Burke, his high school sweetheart. He served two years in the Army during the Korean War and then returned to complete his college degree, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.
He was hired by NASA in 1963 and worked on the early programs through the development of the Space Shuttle. He loved his job at NASA and always arrived early to work to get a head start on the day. He had a great career working his way up from Section head to retiring in 1992 as Division Chief of all Shuttle software checkout systems. Along the way he received several awards. He received a Bronze Eagle award for saving NASA millions of dollars by recording the flight data in digital form for the first time.
He is survived by his wife Janet of 68 ½ years of marriage, his daughter Sandy Forsythe and son Brian Burtzlaff, three grandchildren: Jason Archer, Tori and Garrett Burtzlaff. He is also survived by his sister, Janice Dower and her husband Dan and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Belva Klein and brother, Larry Burtzlaff.
Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. with the service to begin at 11:00 A.M. at Hope Lutheran Church 1804 S. Friendswood Dr. Friendswood, Tx. 77546 with Rev. Jonathan Petering officiating.
A private burial will be held at Forest Park East Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to 'Hope Lutheran Church.’ Place HURT in the memo line and donations will go to the Hope Urgent Response Team, 1804 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.
9 thoughts on “Irvin Jerald Burtzlaff”
I worked with Irv during the development, installation, and operation of the ACE-S/C stations used to check out the Apollo flight hardware. I enjoyed our association and appreciated his competence. He was great to work with.
My deepest sympathy. Your wonderful family, who were a big part of my early years, will be in my prayers.
Love to you all,
Amy (Wright) Weaver
Irv hired me in 1980 and was my first boss at the Johnson Space Center working in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Division (Code EF). He was a very good manager and helped me with the early part of my career that ended up being 35 years long. His confidence in me as a new hire gave me work opportunities in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Lab (SAIL) that was the cornerstone of my career that serves me even to this day. I worked for him all the way until his retirement which was very special to me. I am thankful I knew and worked for him – a great manager and engineer that served NASA well. Rest in Peace Irv.
Janet and family, we are so very sorry to about Irvin's passing, but, like you, know that he is at peace with our Lord. We send our love and prayers and thank you for a lifetime of friendship that means so much to us.
What a beautiful tribute to a great family man! My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Losing a parent leaves such a void. You are a special family. It's comforting to know that he is now in the Lord's hands. The Lord is aware of each of you. May you especially feel Him close as you grieve. Love, Jo
Dad…I love you and miss you already. I take comfort in knowing that you are now with Jesus in heaven, and that your pain and suffering are now over. Our little joke to cope recently when we needed to move you was “no pain no gain”. You pretended it was funny and would just half smile at me and wrinkle your nose up…I’m glad I couldn’t read your mind.
You taught me by example to have a great work ethic. You had your routine down… it was almost like Groundhog Day. I don’t remember you ever missing a day of work. You would come out every morning in your white shirt and sports coat grab a piece of toast, slap one thin piece of ham on it and be out the door before sunup… rinse and repeat.
I will always remember the fun times we had together, hunting, fishing, and golfing.
I will never forget the time we were all on a family camping trip and I tried to swallow an entire steak.
(Yeah that didn’t work) you jumped up, turned me upside down, and by the ankles you shook that cow right out of me… Thanks Dad!
There was the time we were golfing at Ellington AFB and a freak storm came up. It was raining so hard we could barely see each other! You huddled us up under a tiny awning and then the lightning started to hit all around. One bolt hit the flag pin right beside us, I thought that was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen, until I looked up at your face. Your eyeballs were the size of grapefruits, so that was now the coolest thing I’d ever seen.
We did a lot of fishing together, we would go bass fishing in Danbury. We would go rainbow trout fishing in South Dakota on our yearly trip up there. Dad really liked to go to San Luis Pass. One time while wade fishing we got caught up in the out going tide and almost ended up in Cancun… that was scary! No pattern to sense here…
Dad I love you and hope when I see you again we can add to our “Don’t tell mom list”…
Brian
Dear Mrs Burtzlaff, Sandy and Brian,
It was a beautiful service for Mr. Burtzlaff. Brian what a tribute!! What a dad! And Mrs Burtzlaff what a testimony 68 and a half years of marriage!!!
Paul and I love all of you! We are here for what ever y’all may need or want!!!
Paul and Cindy Stamy
Becky and I express our sincere condolences to the entire Burtzlaff family for the loss of your loved one.
We will be neighbors forever! We shared so many things as neighbors, and we will always remember the kindness you so graciously and generously gave us, and others. Hardship or good times, you were always there!
Irv was quiet and thoughtful and never imposing. I loved playing cards with him as a partner! It was almost unfair he was so good! He was an excellent example of a man, husband and father. I'll always smile when I think of him.
Bless you Irv, rest in peace!
Ed Travis
Dear Janet, Brian, Sandy, and Family,
Truly Irvin was quite the man! I wish I would have known him better. What a wonderful tribute Brian wrote! You can feel the love and closeness and comradery that they shared. What a blessing Irvin was to the whole family! I pray that you always keep those warm wonderful memories close to your hearts where Irvin will live forever….not to mention sharing those wonderful memories will let others know how much he meant to everyone. His work ethic, values, fairness, and kindness will always be remembered. May the Peace of the Lord be with you all knowing that your dad, loving husband, and friend is at peace also. Irvin shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and awaits the time when you all shall be reunited. Peace, Love, and Comfort to all.
Claudia Ramming