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BURKSTALLER -- Steve Marshall Burkstaller passed away at Anna Kaseman Presbyterian Hospice in Albuquerque on Friday, December 12, 2008 from complications due to diabetes and stroke. Dr. Burkstaller was born July 12, 1933 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and moved to Roswell in 1938. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1951, earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico and a Doctorate in Optometry from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon in June 1958. He then established a practice in Roswell, where he remained until 1999. He subsequently practiced optometry in Albuquerque, and resided briefly in Lubbock, Texas as well. Dr. Burkstaller was an active member of the optometric profession, serving as President of the New Mexico Optometric Association from 1962-1963, and as a member of the NM Board of Examiners in Optometry and the American Academy of Optometry. Steve was elected to the Roswell City Council in 1960 and served as Fire Commissioner. He was a member of the Roswell Rotary Club and the Jaycees. His other passions included skiing and tennis. He loved New Mexico deeply, but also enjoyed travel to Europe, Mexico and South America, and was a 2000 graduate of the Toscana Saporita Cooking School in Tuscany, Italy. Dr. Burkstaller was preceded in death by his loving parents, W.E. Burkstaller and Julice "Judi" Glover Burkstaller of Roswell. He is survived by his children, Ross and Lisa Burkstaller, both of Albuquerque; their mother, Sally Burkstaller of Ruidoso; his sister, Barbara Rudd of Lubbock; his brother, John Burkstaller, and a nephew, Bradley Rudd, both of Albuquerque. Cremation was under the direction of Riverside Funeral Home in Albuquerque. Friends wishing to remember Steve may make contributions to the American Diabetes Association or to a charity of their choice. Acknowledgements may be sent to Lisa Burkstaller at 1300 Ridgecrest SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.
        Published on: Sun January 04, 2009