Col. Erwin A. Burtnick, Longtime Advocate for Veterans, Dies at 80

Col. Erwin Allen Burtnick, a major force in local veterans affairs and commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Department of Maryland, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 25. The Pikesville resident was 80.

Burtnick was known for ensuring that virtually all graves of local Jewish veterans had American flags posted on them every year on Veterans Day, as well as for making sure that Jewish veterans received proper burials.

“Col. Erwin Burtnick was more than a mere community member; he was a pillar of strength and a beacon of selflessness,” wrote the Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland, of which Burtnick was a founder. “His commitment to service was evident not only through his military career but also in the countless ways he contributed to the community. … JUSA, under Col. Erwin Burtnick’s guidance, became a lifeline for many in the community, providing support and aid to those in need. Whether it was offering a helping hand to the elderly, providing resources for families facing hardship, or being a source of comfort in times of crisis, Col. Erwin Burtnick embodied the essence of communal responsibility.”

A 1960 alumnus of Baltimore City College, Burtnick was a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University with a bachelor’s degree in business/accounting. He worked at City Hall for more than 25 years as chief assistant to the late City Comptroller Hyman A. Pressman.

Burtnick was active in myriad veterans and military organizations, including the Gen. George G. Meade Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and the Maryland Veterans Commission.

In addition, he served as an ambassador in the Army Freedom Team Salute program and as an advisory board member of JUSA, which provides current and retired men and women in uniform in Maryland with educational and social support and activities.

For more than 37 years, Burtnick served on active duty and in the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve. Commissioned through Officer Candidate School, he held numerous positions throughout his military career, including rifle platoon leader in the 115th Infantry, adjutant of the 2122nd U.S. Army Garrison, secretary of the 2071st U.S. Army Reserve School, chief of the Evaluation Reports Branch at the Military Personnel Center, and director of personnel and community activities at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium.

He also commanded the 165th IMA Detachment in support of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel at The Pentagon.

Burtnick was the recipient of 24 decorations, service medals and ribbons, including the Legion of Merit. He was the first person at the Department of Defense to be presented the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, which was awarded for his work with the Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in the Department of Defense. He received a second MOVSM award for his work with veterans.

In 2015, Burtnick was instrumental in helping to secure a posthumous Medal of Honor for Sgt. William Shemin, a Jewish solider in World War I who pulled wounded comrades to safety during a battle.

“Erwin was a great mentor and friend,” local veteran Dan Berkovitz posted on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “Erwin was happy to help me help veterans. When I wanted to set up a charity event for the Jewish War Veterans Post 167, he was willing to join me at night to see what certain venues and hosts looked like live. When I had ideas for other events, he had my back and helped me out with them. I asked him to deliver shalach manot [gift baskets] for Purim to Jewish veterans on behalf of the Jewish Uniform Services Association, and he delivered to 10 veterans who were not JWV members.

“While we only knew each other for a few years, Erwin was a friend and a mentor. Thank you for your service Colonel Burtnick — you will be missed.”

In a post, Del. Jon S. Cardin (D-11B) wrote, “Col. Burtnick was a mentor, a resource and a friend. He helped me understand proper relationships among the military and government and he was a wealth of information in bringing Jewish War Veterans the honor and distinction they deserve. It was a gift to call him a friend.”

Burtnick is survived by his wife, Janet Burtnick (nee Conn); children, Scott K. (Ain) Burtnick and Jason E. Burtnick; and brother, Norton M. Burtnick. He was predeceased by his parents, Emily and Sidney Burtnick.

Funeral services will be held at Sol Levinson’s Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be at United Hebrew Cemetery, 3901 Washington Boulevard.

Contributions in his memory may be sent to Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, 1811 R Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; Friends of the Jewish Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy, 326 First St., Suite 22, Annapolis, Maryland 21403; Boy’s Town Jerusalem, 110 Hillside Blvd, Suite 14, Westgate Plaza, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701; or Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland, 2316 Sugarcone Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21209.

The family will be in mourning at 2314 Sugarcone Road on Wednesday following interment, services at 7:30 p.m. (no visitors after 9); on Thursday from noon until 9 p.m. (no visitors from 3:30-4:30 p.m.), services at 4:30 p.m. (family will not accept visitors after 9); on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and on Sunday from noon until 9 p.m. (no visitors from 3:30-4:30 p.m.) services at 4:30 p.m. (family will not accept visitors after 9).