Burma, John H. 1913-2006

BURMA, KNOCK, BEASLEY, HUNTOON, PULLEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 11/21/2013 at 10:12:25

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Aug. 31, 2006

JOHN H. BURMA

John H. Burma, 93, of Claremont, Calif., formerly of Grinnell, died Aug. 22, 2006, in Pilgrim Place Health Service Center in Claremont of complications of Alzheimers Disease.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 2, in Kingman Chapel of the Claremont United Church of Christ with Todd Memorial Chapel of Pomona, Calif., in charge of arrangements.

He was born April 2, 1913, in Dallas, Texas, the only child of the Rev. John H. and Manetta Knock Burma. He grew up in Texas and graduated from Trinity University in 1933. He studied also at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Southern California, then received his master's degree from the University of Texas and his doctor of philosophy degree in sociology and economics from the University of Nebraska. He joined the faculty at Grinnell College in 1941, where he served for 29 years as professor of sociology and anthropology, including chairing his department and the Division of Social Studies. He taught during 1946-47 at Pomona College in California, and in 1970 became professor of sociology and criminology at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona from which he retired in 1982. He was an authority on Spanish-speaking minorities in the United states, authoring several texts and serving as consultant to several groups.

In addition to many professional groups, he was a member of the Claremont United Church of Christ.

He is survived by his son-in-law and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Hughlette Beasley Burma, an infant son, his daughter Susan B. Huntoon and his wife Dorothy Ann Pulley Burma in 2004.