Alan (“Al”) Lee Burlingame - husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and veteran - passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023, surrounded by his family following an extended illness. He was 80 years, 7 months, 2 weeks, and 1 day old.
Al was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. He was the second of 8 surviving children born to Claire (d. 1977) and Maxine (d. 1986) Burlingame. He grew up in nearby Geneva and attended Platt R. Spencer School, graduating in 1960 as the last senior class before Spencer School transitioned to an elementary school. During Al’s youth, he participated in boy scouts, was a member of future teachers of America and the international honorary journalism club Quill and Scroll, worked on the high school paper “HI-LITES” and senior yearbook, was a Thespian, and played reserve basketball and varsity football.
At 18 years old, Al joined The United States Air Force which would define the rest of his life. His military career spanned 22 years and took him to Germany, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, and the Philippines. His military resume included data processing machine operator, military training instructor, statistical specialist, and special investigations technician during which time he investigated crimes such as drug activity, assaults, and murders within the services. Al took pride in all his work, but the highlights of his career were his undercover investigations and serving security detail for President Ford, President Regan, and First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos.After retiring from the Air Force, Al worked as a Fraud Investigator for the State of Ohio Social Security Agency, sold Life Insurance, and joined a local security company as an investigator and security agent.
By the time Al retired as Master Sergeant, he was the recipient of numerous decorations and awards. He received the Air Force Commendation medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, the NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit award with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon.
Al was a 39-year member of the American Legion and a Life Member of Post 526 in Fairborn, Ohio, where he held most of the offices including Commander, 1st Vice Commander 2nd Vice Commander, and Adjutant. He recently stepped up to serve again and was the current 1st Vice Commander at the time of his passing. He served as the Greene County Commander for 4 consecutive years from 1989-1992. Al was the Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the Thundering 3rd District, but his most cherished position was that of the Child Welfare Chairman for the 3rd District. It was a position he held for many years as well as being on the Child Welfare Committee for the Department of Ohio. Al was also a proud member of the 40 and 8, serving as Chef de Gare of Voiture 140, Ohio
When he wasn’t working, Al helped coach his sons’ Peewee football and basketball teams. Many years later with his sons grown and following their own adventures, Al met and married Eileen… and not only did he end up back in a life of boys and football, but he also took on a whole new adventure – girls, marching band, and private education. He once again picked up the baton in parental volunteerism and worked band fundraisers and booster events, serving as stand captain at UD arena basketball games to raise money for Carroll High School band, and ran the Carroll High School Press Box as “Press Box Coordinator” for football games for 21 years and was honored with a plaque for his dedication upon retiring from that role in 2021. Al enjoyed being generous, took pride in his children and their accomplishments, and volunteered his time to support worthy causes. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, reading, bowling, and golfing; when he wasn’t throwing, rolling, or chasing balls, chances are he was watching them on tv, an avid Browns fan (who willingly married a Bengals fan) and a proud Buckeye to the end.
Even though Al is no longer walking with us, he will continue to live on in the memories of his wife Eileen, his sons Alan (Cathy), Scott Edward (Jen), and Cody; step-daughters Kate and Keriann Hissam; step-son Kevin Hissam; grandchildren Scott Edward II, Sean, Jade, Maggie, Kallie, Kennedy, Daxton, and Averlee; great-grandson Scott Edward III; sisters Myrna (John) Todd, Marilyn Cross, Noreen Mitcham; and brothers Richard (Debbie), Donald, and Rodney (Heather). Al was preceded in death by his son Lance and his brother Leslie.
A celebration of life with Post Everlasting ceremony will be held in the spring, date and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please consider continuing Al’s support of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association and offer a donation in his memory at www.COTA.org .
Al was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. He was the second of 8 surviving children born to Claire (d. 1977) and Maxine (d. 1986) Burlingame. He grew up in nearby Geneva and attended Platt R. Spencer School, graduating in 1960 as the last senior class before Spencer School transitioned to an elementary school. During Al’s youth, he participated in boy scouts, was a member of future teachers of America and the international honorary journalism club Quill and Scroll, worked on the high school paper “HI-LITES” and senior yearbook, was a Thespian, and played reserve basketball and varsity football.
At 18 years old, Al joined The United States Air Force which would define the rest of his life. His military career spanned 22 years and took him to Germany, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, and the Philippines. His military resume included data processing machine operator, military training instructor, statistical specialist, and special investigations technician during which time he investigated crimes such as drug activity, assaults, and murders within the services. Al took pride in all his work, but the highlights of his career were his undercover investigations and serving security detail for President Ford, President Regan, and First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos.After retiring from the Air Force, Al worked as a Fraud Investigator for the State of Ohio Social Security Agency, sold Life Insurance, and joined a local security company as an investigator and security agent.
By the time Al retired as Master Sergeant, he was the recipient of numerous decorations and awards. He received the Air Force Commendation medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, the NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit award with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon.
Al was a 39-year member of the American Legion and a Life Member of Post 526 in Fairborn, Ohio, where he held most of the offices including Commander, 1st Vice Commander 2nd Vice Commander, and Adjutant. He recently stepped up to serve again and was the current 1st Vice Commander at the time of his passing. He served as the Greene County Commander for 4 consecutive years from 1989-1992. Al was the Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the Thundering 3rd District, but his most cherished position was that of the Child Welfare Chairman for the 3rd District. It was a position he held for many years as well as being on the Child Welfare Committee for the Department of Ohio. Al was also a proud member of the 40 and 8, serving as Chef de Gare of Voiture 140, Ohio
When he wasn’t working, Al helped coach his sons’ Peewee football and basketball teams. Many years later with his sons grown and following their own adventures, Al met and married Eileen… and not only did he end up back in a life of boys and football, but he also took on a whole new adventure – girls, marching band, and private education. He once again picked up the baton in parental volunteerism and worked band fundraisers and booster events, serving as stand captain at UD arena basketball games to raise money for Carroll High School band, and ran the Carroll High School Press Box as “Press Box Coordinator” for football games for 21 years and was honored with a plaque for his dedication upon retiring from that role in 2021. Al enjoyed being generous, took pride in his children and their accomplishments, and volunteered his time to support worthy causes. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, reading, bowling, and golfing; when he wasn’t throwing, rolling, or chasing balls, chances are he was watching them on tv, an avid Browns fan (who willingly married a Bengals fan) and a proud Buckeye to the end.
Even though Al is no longer walking with us, he will continue to live on in the memories of his wife Eileen, his sons Alan (Cathy), Scott Edward (Jen), and Cody; step-daughters Kate and Keriann Hissam; step-son Kevin Hissam; grandchildren Scott Edward II, Sean, Jade, Maggie, Kallie, Kennedy, Daxton, and Averlee; great-grandson Scott Edward III; sisters Myrna (John) Todd, Marilyn Cross, Noreen Mitcham; and brothers Richard (Debbie), Donald, and Rodney (Heather). Al was preceded in death by his son Lance and his brother Leslie.
A celebration of life with Post Everlasting ceremony will be held in the spring, date and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please consider continuing Al’s support of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association and offer a donation in his memory at www.COTA.org .
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