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August 5, 1924 – February 2, 2023
Doris E. "Burkie" Callaghan (Aug. 5, 1924-Feb. 2, 2023) 98 years of age.
Resided recently in Alamo, California, after 60+ years in Atherton, CA.
Doris Burkhardt was born in San Francisco to Max F. and Emma Gysi Burkhardt, immigrants from Switzerland. Doris (later nicknamed "Burkie") was especially close to her charming father, a Swiss-trained chef who eventually managed the United Airlines flight kitchen in Los Angeles and oversaw all the West Coast UAL kitchens. She lived for a time in San Francisco, San Jose and Salt Lake City. She made lifelong friends in junior high school, continuing to meet with them for lunch in San Jose long after she was unable to drive, thanks to her daughter. Burkie worked awhile for United Airlines in Burbank, where she met a dashing young pilot, Bob Callaghan. He quickly swept her off her feet and married her, 76 years ago.
Burkie and Bob raised four children in San Carlos and then Atherton, California, in homes designed and built by Bob. With a houseful of young children and a pilot often gone for days, Burkie had her hands full. She was an accomplished seamstress, making most of their clothes, as well as curtains and other accessories for their homes. She was known among family and friends for her great cooking, likely absorbing lessons from her father (despite Bob's preference for straight "meat and potatoes, please"). Her endless supply of chocolate chip cookies is greatly missed. She was also known to family as an ace Dominoes player. But most of all she was the absolute best hugger this big extended family has ever known. She was the constant travel companion to explorer husband Bob, as well as photographic "grunt," packing lunches and lugging camera equipment. They had favorite haunts like the Yosemite backcountry and Marin Headlands and coastal California.
Doris "Burkie" passed away peacefully, only 14 hours before husband Bob, apparently knowing he would not leave her alone for long. She leaves behind four children: Sandra (Peter) Burr, Sheila (Mike) Goodwin, Patrick Callaghan, and Shawn (Fred) Richardson; 6 grandchildren Kelly (Alex) Adduci, Katie Goodwin, Shaun (Stephanie) Goodwin, Kristi (Jeff) Welsh, Travis (Christie) Callaghan, Jackson Callaghan; and 5 great-grandchildren: Siena, Jake and Max Adduci, Jack and Ryan Welsh. She was predeceased by her brother Bob Burkhardt, infant daughters Katie and Maureen, and grandson Ken Tilden.
The family is so grateful to Hope Hospice of Dublin for the loving care given in her final months. Memorial gifts can be sent to: or mailed to: 6377 Clark Avenue, Suite 100, Dublin CA 94568.
A private family celebration of life will occur later this spring/summer.
