Perry G. Burchfield: 1956 - 2013
The Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol lost an outstanding patroller, Perry G. Burchfield, on Friday the 13th of December, 2013 He had suffered from declining health for several years. Perry served the National Ski Patrol for 22 years by beginning his patrol career at Apple Mountain Ski Patrol in Eastern Michigan Region in 1991. Perry earned Basic Patroller status in 1992 and began his next achievement by becoming a Senior Patroller in 1993. In 2001, Perry received National appointment, Number 9402.
Perry took on the responsibility of becoming a Ski and Toboggan trainer at Apple Mountain. He was a great instructor. He received a Yellow Merit Star in 1995 for his efforts in Ski and Toboggan Training. Perry was tall, 6ft 4in., and 275 pounds. He would volunteer to be the rider in the toboggan. The candidates knew if they could get him down the slope safely they were ready for their test. He also guided many of his candidates to become ski and toboggan trainers. He often said “many hands make light the work”.
He also became an OEC instructor. Perry changed his primary patrol to Schuss Mountain in Northern Michigan Region in 1995. Perry's passion was instructing OEC and he was awarded Outstanding OEC Instructor in Northern Michigan Region in 2000. He served the Region as an OEC Instructor Trainer for several years. He was one of the Managers of the Northern Michigan Summer Program. The Summer Program helped prepare patrollers who wanted to become Senior Patrollers or any other patroller who wanted to refresh their first aid skills. Perry had a great sense of humor. In the Summer Program he would use his imagination to challenge the candidates in their scenarios and sometimes add a twist to the scenario. One of his favorite questions might be "What if?"
Perry loved serving as medical help for the Michigan Special Olympics and did so for 20 years in Eastern Michigan.
Through his efforts in OEC, Perry was supported by his wife, Ellen. She was at his side and helped organize, promote, and accomplish what he set out to do. She continues to be a member of the Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol. He will be missed by his two daughters, Sarah and Amanda.
I, too, will miss Perry, for he and I were not only friends, but a team. In my mind there are two things that make someone a good Patroller: Passion for what you do and Compassion for those you care for. Perry had both.
Respectfully submitted
Pat Throop, ARD NMR
The Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol lost an outstanding patroller, Perry G. Burchfield, on Friday the 13th of December, 2013 He had suffered from declining health for several years. Perry served the National Ski Patrol for 22 years by beginning his patrol career at Apple Mountain Ski Patrol in Eastern Michigan Region in 1991. Perry earned Basic Patroller status in 1992 and began his next achievement by becoming a Senior Patroller in 1993. In 2001, Perry received National appointment, Number 9402.
Perry took on the responsibility of becoming a Ski and Toboggan trainer at Apple Mountain. He was a great instructor. He received a Yellow Merit Star in 1995 for his efforts in Ski and Toboggan Training. Perry was tall, 6ft 4in., and 275 pounds. He would volunteer to be the rider in the toboggan. The candidates knew if they could get him down the slope safely they were ready for their test. He also guided many of his candidates to become ski and toboggan trainers. He often said “many hands make light the work”.
He also became an OEC instructor. Perry changed his primary patrol to Schuss Mountain in Northern Michigan Region in 1995. Perry's passion was instructing OEC and he was awarded Outstanding OEC Instructor in Northern Michigan Region in 2000. He served the Region as an OEC Instructor Trainer for several years. He was one of the Managers of the Northern Michigan Summer Program. The Summer Program helped prepare patrollers who wanted to become Senior Patrollers or any other patroller who wanted to refresh their first aid skills. Perry had a great sense of humor. In the Summer Program he would use his imagination to challenge the candidates in their scenarios and sometimes add a twist to the scenario. One of his favorite questions might be "What if?"
Perry loved serving as medical help for the Michigan Special Olympics and did so for 20 years in Eastern Michigan.
Through his efforts in OEC, Perry was supported by his wife, Ellen. She was at his side and helped organize, promote, and accomplish what he set out to do. She continues to be a member of the Schuss Mountain Ski Patrol. He will be missed by his two daughters, Sarah and Amanda.
I, too, will miss Perry, for he and I were not only friends, but a team. In my mind there are two things that make someone a good Patroller: Passion for what you do and Compassion for those you care for. Perry had both.
Respectfully submitted
Pat Throop, ARD NMR