Obituary of Peter Burleson

Peter Burleson passed away surrounded by family on August 22, 2023, in Colorado Springs at the age of 83. 

Pete was born in New Jersey on September 23, 1939, to parents Elizabeth and Henry, and lived there through his formative years, graduating from Castile High School in New York as its valedictorian. Pete went on to attend MIT in Boston where he graduated in electrical engineering on an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation scholarship, and finished his post-graduate studies at Cornell University, where his grandfather was an esteemed professor.

After those college years, Pete accepted an engineering position with MITRE and enjoyed a challenging yet rewarding 32-year career with the company. Pete and his family moved around the US and abroad throughout those years, living in Boston, Seoul, Oahu, and Taiwan before finally settling down in Colorado Springs, where Pete retired with his wife Pati Burleson. Pete loved living in Colorado’s Black Forest and was actively involved in the community as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District as well as a volunteer coach of Black Forest youth soccer.

In retirement, Pete loved spending his days with family, friends, and his beloved dogs – and could often be found receiving free meals and great conversation with friends, new and old, at The Margarita. He also fostered his lifelong love of learning through several passions including woodworking, crossword puzzles, music, and traveling. In addition to being in possession of a sneeze that could make Taiwanese cats and babies cry, he was also a devoted and loving figure to his family. 

He is survived by wife Pati Tudor Burleson; children Ryan Burleson (Timory), Andrew Burleson, and Kerra Upson; grandchildren Henley and Miles Burleson; sisters Lindsay Towell and Kate Burleson; and nephews Brian and Garett Towell. 

Celebration of Life, 2:30PM, Sunday, September 24, 2023, The Margarita at PineCreek, 7350 Pine Creek Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919.