S. Kay Burrus

S. Kay Burrus, 80 December 1937—June 2018 S. Kay Burrus, of Bloomington, passed away under the loving care of IU Health Bloomington Hospice House June 16, 2018. Kay served Indiana University and the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, now School of Public Health, with distinction for over 39 years. She came to IU in 1962 as an instructor and coach in the Department of Physical Education for Women and, later, coached in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. She was an integral part of the exercise physiology faculty and taught an array of courses. Her career culminated with a 14-year appointment as Associate Dean for Academic Program Administration. Kay chaired and served on numerous committees in the School and across campus and chaired and served on many doctoral dissertation committees. Her research focused on physical-fitness levels of women and the physical and cardio-respiratory characteristics of women intercollegiate basketball players. She was active in several higher education professional organizations, among them the Midwest Association for College and University Physical Education, where she held several elected positions, assuming the presidency from 1987-1990. In addition to teaching, Kay began the women’s field hockey team in 1962 and was first to coach the extramural women’s basketball team in 1963. She was highly successful with both, coaching field hockey until 1976 and women’s basketball until 1967. During summers, from 1966 to 1976, she traveled to the Nevada Desert Research Institute where she worked as a visiting and consulting scientist with renowned physiologist D. B. Dill in his Laboratory of Environmental and Patho-Physiology. Dill noted Kay was “one of the first women to become expert in the physiology of exercise at high altitudes.” Kay earned her Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Michigan in 1974. She received her bachelor and master degrees at Southern Illinois University in 1959 and 1962, respectively. She taught at Sterling High School in Sterling, Ill., from 1959 to 1961 and served as an associate instructor in the Department of Physical Education for Women at SIU from 1961 to 1962. On Kay’s retirement in 2002, Dean Gallahue wrote, “Her sensitivity and friendly accessibility to students, attention to detail, and quiet wisdom on matters of significant importance to the school made her a most valuable and respected administrator…. She will be missed.” Kay stayed in Bloomington. She enjoyed traveling, going to art events, playing golf, staying in touch with former students, players and coaches, and was often found in the bleachers supporting IU teams, men’s basketball and women’s volleyball, basketball and, of course, field hockey. In education and throughout life, Kay gave selflessly. Her utmost joy was helping and seeing students, faculty and others succeed. She was dedicated to IU and adored her friends. But, she was devoted to her family. A nephew wrote, “She could make you feel great or put you in your place, and still we knew she loved us all the same.” Kay is survived by her sister-in-law Jane Burrus of Hamel, IL; several nieces and nephews who live in Edwardsville, IL, or towns nearby; numerous great nieces and nephews; a few great-greats; and her long-time, cherished friend Gayle Hart. Kay is preceded in death by her loving parents, Lanham and Faye; her twin sister, Sharon Fay; and her brothers Roy, Cecil and Joseph. She is followed in death by her brother Dean and great nephew Michael. A Celebration of Kay’s Life is Oct. 5, 2018, 1:00 p.m., at IU’s Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E 17th St. At 12-noon friends can gather to share fond memories and light food fare. Free parking is across the street in the Blue Lot. An attendant will be at Forrest and 17th St., just west of the DeVault Center, to assist with accessible parking. At 3:00 p.m., the IU vs Michigan State field hockey game will be played in Kay’s honor. All are welcome. The Field Hockey Complex is off N. Fee Lane, parking is free. Online condolences may be left with Allen Funeral Home at www.AllenCares.com. Memorial contributions are suggested to: IU Foundation, for the S. Kay Burrus Speech-Language Pathology Fellowship (acct. #037001462), PO Box 500, Bloomington, IN 47402; My Sister’s Closet, PO Box 1182, Bloomington, IN 47402; Amethyst House, PO Box 11, Bloomington, IN 47402; or charity of choice.

Tributes

S. Kay Burrus

December 19, 1937 - June 16, 2018