Burdette Wagenknecht

LIBERTY, Mo. ? Burdette Lewis?Burt? Wagenknecht, 89, of Liberty, Missouri, died Friday, Aug. 21, 2015.

A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 28, at Liberty United Methodist Church, 1001 Sunset in Liberty, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to Liberty United Methodist Church or Children?s Mercy Hospital. Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home in Liberty is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Wagenknecht was born Sept. 9, 1925, in Washington County, the son of Rudolph and Edna Wagenknecht.

He was a combat veteran of the Army, serving in World War II, and was awarded The Purple Heart and The Combat Infantryman?s Badge. He held a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Kansas. His teaching career spanned over 50 years, culminating in his position as professor of biology and chairman of the department at William Jewell College. He was a member of Liberty United Methodist Church, where he faithfully taught adult Sunday school. He was a life member of Philatelic Society and for more than 20 years volunteered at Children?s Mercy Hospital. He was a master in duplicate bridge, was an avid reader and an expert historian, and he loved to travel.

Surviving are his wife, Leota (Lee) Wagenknecht; three daughters, Beth Curasi and husband Richard, Laura Wagenknecht, and Lisa Wagenknecht; and one grandson.

He was preceded in death by one son, Paul R. Wagenknecht, retired Navy MMC; and one sister, Ruth I. Reneger.