Audrey Burkart, a lifelong resident of Ridgefield, NJ passed away on October 9, 2017 at age 88.
Audrey earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New York University and her doctorate from Columbia University in the field of Nutrition and Home Economics. In 1954, she began her career as a home economics teacher in Cliffside, NJ. She continued her career as a home economics educator at the secondary level in three New Jersey school systems from 1954 through 1964.
In 1964, Audrey accepted a position at Rutgers Cooperative Extension where she served as extension specialist in food and nutrition and also served as chair of the Family and Community Health Sciences department (then Home Economics and Family & Consumer Sciences) and interim chair of the 4-H Youth Development department. Audrey was also an active member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and received its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. She retired from Rutgers on December 31, 1995.
Audrey loved to cook and would immediately tell you whether a food was good or bad for you. She was an active member at the Zion Lutheran Church which her family helped build. She served as an active member and historian at the Zonta Club of Northern Valley, NJ, a part of Zonta International, a worldwide service organization that advances the legal, political, economic, health, and professional status of women worldwide. Audrey touched many lives as a mentor, supervisor, role model, and friend. She will be greatly missed by friends and family.
Audrey was a generous donor to Rutgers and supported a variety of programs at the School and Cooperative Extension, including the Dr. Audrey C. Burkart Program Enhancement Fund in Family & Consumer Sciences and the Dr. Audrey C. Burkart Program Enhancement Fund in 4-H.
Donations in Audrey’s memory can be made to the Rutgers SEBS/NJAES Office of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships at makeagift.rutgers.edu or to Zion Lutheran Church, 941 Slocum Avenue, Ridgefield, NJ.
