A tribute to Gene Burwell

 

[December 11, 2020] 

On November 24, 2020, one of the most successful and amazing sons of Logan County passed from this life peacefully. His name is well known: Gene Burwell. And while you may know some things about his business successes and contributions to Logan County, you may not know much about his personal life and the contributions he made to other people's lives.

Obituary for Gene Burwell

He came from humble beginnings. Born and raised in Beason, and graduated from Beason High School in 1953. As his obituary says, he served in the Army, and then started his career as a carpenter and tradesman. He took a second job as a gas station attendant at a little station in Lincoln, and when the owner retired, Gene Burwell bought that station with the help of family. That was the beginning of an extraordinary career and business empire. At the time of his retirement some 30 years later, Gene built Burwell Oil Service into 21 stations, truck stops, and other ancillary businesses. But his business success is not Burwell's best story.

Gene Burwell also served his community and took part in community organizations, served on bank boards and on business boards. But although his service to the community was significant, it was not his highest attribute.
 

Gene Burwell took an interest in everything that had an engine in it, collecting cars, boats and attending NASCAR races, boat races and auto shows. But these interests were not where Gene Burwell shined the most.

Gene Burwell seemed to have a knack for structural design and along with his wife Karen built their dream home in Missouri. Often Gene would submit his own drawings for a new project, only needing an architect to stamp the drawings. Gene was often thought to be the smartest man in the crowd, the most energetic man, and whatever he touched seemed to turn to gold. He could tell a story like no other, always the center of attention. An avid reader. But those attributes were not Gene's strongest suit.

Gene Burwell will always be best remembered for the strong relationships he forged. Gene was an amazing family man, giving special care to each relationship. Gene Burwell attracted people and became an easy and supportive friend. Many people describe Burwell as their best friend, and many as a second father. Gene was generous in all his relationships, both in affection and financial support. Employees were not just hires but were friends. And it is for these friendships and relationships that Gene Burwell will always be best remembered.

Several of Gene's closest family members and friends contributed to this tribute.

Gene's youngest son Curt Burwell wrote:

I think it speaks volumes of any parent by the way they discipline and motivate their children. This is, admittedly, a perspective I acquired only in recent years.

It’s no secret to anyone who knew Gene that he was, especially in his younger days, an intense and driven person. He put intense pressure on himself: managing employees, customers, lenders, vendors, trying to get ahead. A blow-up was not uncommon. Knowing that side of him and having had the chance to reflect on it as an adult, what is truly admirable, even astonishing, was his unique ability to separate those pressures from his family life. He did it better than anyone I’ve ever known.

He was not a “yeller,” but when the occasion arose to lay down the law (and the occasion arose most frequently with me, his youngest), he would sternly yet calmly explain the problem (it rarely needed explanation). Then he would express his profound disappointment: the worst possible verdict. But the verdict and sentence were always reasonable and proportionate to the crime. His disappointment signaled that you didn’t hold yourself to the standard he expected or the one you should expect of yourself. This had tremendous authority because he brought credibility: he held himself to high standards, ethically, personally and professionally, and he expected the same of you. So that “lecture” was always a gut-wrenching, crushing blow.

But what ensued in the following days was truly unique to him: he would slowly bring you back, building your confidence and signaling there was a chance at redemption from his disappointment. He selectively dispensed words of encouragement, love and pride. Key to this technique was his ability to never hold a grudge, to forget the transgression as soon as the conversation was over and start the confidence re-building process.


The final word on my Father is to express the absolute enjoyment and thrill it was to be around him. It was a different kind of thrill at each phase of life.

I know this enjoyment wasn’t exclusive to his own children. He rode snowmobiles, always with me in front; drove boats, allowing me to drive too fast at much too young of an age. He calmly got out of our car one day when I was 13 and threw the keys to me: “Time for you to figure this out.” He once grabbed me, unfazed, as a snowmobile descended into a frozen lake, and carried me through the slush to safety.

He would spontaneously shoot at a groundhog crossing a frozen Lake on a winter morning, each puff of snow thrilling his pre-teen sons. He could back up a truck with a boat trailer at 20 mph with a single finger on the steering wheel. He would always somehow bargain for a couple go-carts from a motor oil promotion. He surprised us one October day at 3pm in 1982 (on a school night!) with tickets to the World Series and a car full of gas. Sometimes a pinball machine or video game would appear from a mysterious boat trade. This is how he rolled.

To this 10-year-old boy, he was a mix of Steve McQueen, Charlton Heston and John Wayne combined into a fun-seeking and supportive father.

Later in life, he flew to NASCAR races with sons, friends and nephews; he met drivers, walked the pits, talked with the mechanics. He drove a Miami Vice boat with the sound filters off.

He would sit down next to and strike up a conversation with Reggie Jackson at a car show. The fun he generated was often spontaneous and unpredictable. What was always predictable was that any time spent with him was a genuine blast. It was great to be in his orbit, and it was especially meaningful to be there as his son.

He was always cognizant that his time here was limited and encouraged everyone to enjoy every day. He created his own fun and enjoyment, and he generously shared it with everyone with who he came into contact. Let’s take that quality from him as our tribute to him.

His friend and business acquaintance, Bill Bates said this:

We first came to know one another during my younger years when we spent a lot of time at Lincoln Lakes skiing and boating. There was a small group that skied and boated most days during the summer and that is where I have my first memories of Gene. Many years later, after I returned to Lincoln to practice law, Gene and I talked often about business in Lincoln and many other topics.

I respected Gene for what he accomplished in business. Gene started from humble beginnings but through hard work and perseverance, he built a very substantial business not only in Lincoln and Logan County but in may other areas. Gene worked hard at building his business and during the later years he was able to continue to build it with his sons.

Gene never lost sight of where he came from and was always willing to help the community financially or with hands-on efforts. Lincoln and Logan County are better places as a result of Gene Burwell’s life and he will be missed by many.

Gene's friend Chris Graue had this to add:

I had the pleasure of knowing Gene Burwell for more than 25 years. Over those 25 years, I was fortunate enough to travel numerous times to different locations for events Gene loved. NASCAR races, Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ; The Richard Petty Driving Experience in Las Vegas, or Illinois/Missouri Basketball in St Louis were the norm to bring the circle of friends together. The normal cast of characters for these trips were business or professional people Gene enjoyed being around, and I enjoyed and was lucky to be included in that group.

“The Captain” or “CHP” (Captain Horse Power) loved to be around a group of people to share wisdom and stories from his past. Lunch was a big thing to Gene and we went frequently either with a group or just he and I. We all enjoyed his sharp memory and business intellect like no other. He had a mind and memory for numbers, he was skilled at sharing his wisdom, but not in an overbearing or boastful way.

My brother-in-law Brad Nikles and I had a special relationship with Gene, one that we will forever cherish. We had an opportunity to be mentored by and be friends with by one of the sharpest business people to ever call Central Illinois his home. We both looked at Gene as a second father of sorts. He was the one I could call if something big happened at the dealership that I wanted to share with someone. Since my father passed in 2009, Gene became the person I would call if we reached a goal or broke a barrier for a number at the store. I would call Gene and share my news because I knew he would understand.

Gene enjoyed having a group of friends together to chat, enjoy and good meal, and drinks (but never to excess). The trips with his group to share life’s experiences was a great way for a relative youngster in the group - to learn from some of the best around. Gene Burwell, Terry Brown, Elvin Schmidt, Gene Blaum, and Brad Nikles were the regular cast of characters that were regularly around when Gene decided to go to a race, basketball game or other event.

Brad and Gene had started attending the Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale and after a few years of attending invited me to attend. What a great time we had. Gene was in attendance when I purchased my dream car, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6. He was with us every step of the way for the purchase and was as excited as I was when we bought the Chevelle. He insisted it be stored in his warehouse.

Gene was genuine, generous, witty and truly interested in what’s going on in your world. He was always a pleasure to talk with and had great suggestions.

I miss the phone calls (especially on my birthday), I miss going to lunch with him, I will miss the trips out of town, I will miss his friendly demeanor. He was a great guy.

I’m sure he’s holding court inside the pearly gates as I type this.

Brad Nikles said this about Gene Burwell:

I have known Gene for 40 years. Absolutely the most brilliant business mind I have ever witnessed.

Gene loved people and sharing and I can tell you without doubt that I benefited from his mentoring. Countless others will share the same experiences.

The singular thing I would like to focus on is the yearly trip we enjoyed to Scottsdale, AZ, where we attended the classic/collector car auction. It started with just the two of us sharing a hotel room and ended with a four bedroom rented house with any number of friends (new and old) coming and going for the week. Gene was never happier than with this environment. The auction was just a clever disguise to enjoy each other’s company. The days were filled with CHP (Capt. Horsepower...Gene’s nickname) holding court to the delight of one and all. I will forever cherish the memories made there.

Barb Nikles had this to add:

I'm a private person, but just the fact that he hired me 38 years ago & I still work for him says it all. He and his family have been a huge part of my life. The world won't be the same without him.

Mark Allen, a business acquaintance and friend said this:

Gene and I became acquainted over 35 years ago because of our common interest in petroleum-related businesses. We became very good friends almost immediately. Our shared interest in fast cars, boats and airplanes made a wonderful connection.

He became somewhat of a father figure to me, as I had lost my father at a fairly early age. He lived every day to the fullest, and was one of the most generous men I have ever known. The thoughts of the good times we had together will stay with me always. His passing will leave a huge void both in my life, and the overall Lincoln community.

He was my friend. I will miss him always.

And finally, Jay Jessen said these words about Gene Burwell:

Back in 1992, I was introduced to a man that was bigger than life; Gene Burwell. I just started working for an engineering firm based in Springfield and Gene was just starting to expand his 20 plus GB Oil gas stations. I was his civil engineer/surveyor and took care of the site work design and permitting in central Illinois and even Indiana.

From day one we hit off as I was in constant contact with him. I never enjoyed working with a better client, friend and mentor as Gene. I was very lucky to watch how he did business deals. His word was more than just a handshake. If he said something about an issue he was going to get it done. No matter what it would take. That was his business side.

I became like his third son, as his two sons Curt and Eric were years younger than me. He "adopted me" and was like a second Dad to me. We did many things together. I could see the first year all the people he would interact with friends at his annual Christmas party, which he would host about the same time as I'm writing this memo! I never forgot how he would have his pockets full of car wash tokens and pass them out like candy.

Through the years Gene didn't get older; he got younger! After selling his gas stations, he wanted to do things he always dreamed of doing. He bought a nine-seater plane to go to NASCAR races with his "gang" of friends of which I was lucky enough to go to many of the races. He would get pit passes and we would visit with the car teams and stay in a motel nearby and usually go to a local Bass Pro Shop store before the race and always go to dinner as a group. He was always generous and picked up the tab. This tab would include jet fuel, pit passes, motel and food. It was something he loved doing and didn't bat an eye as I would give him a simple hug and he would just smile from ear to ear.

Then he wanted to go do a little boating. No big deal. He built a beautiful home in Lake of the Ozarks for his family that Karen enjoyed getting away and enjoying boat rides. However, when Gene got his speed boat, myself and Karen had to go out one time on a white knuckled boat ride. He saw a Bloomington friend in his speed boat and nodded at me and said, "Watch this." He cranked up his twin engines to something like 80 mph while the other boater did too. He didn't say a word but had the biggest smile from ear to ear and when he pulled the throttle back and looked at me said one thing, "WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT JAYBIRD ?" (he always called me that).

Meanwhile, if Karen had a rolling pin she would have thumped him as she was white as a sheep and probably never went again. So he bought a cruiser after that and even a pontoon boat for the grandkids. He and Karen would always take my family and two other families out to dinner every year in the Ozarks when we would be on vacation. He loved being around people.

Yes, Gene had a few health issues in his later years but kept going full speed . Like I told Eric when he was in the hospital and passed away......Gene was bigger than life and enjoyed every day like it was his last. Yes, I'm going to miss ole Geneo. He was great man and will be sorely missed by his family and friends but one thing you can say about Gene with conviction......HE DID IT HIS WAY!!!! As I'm trying to hold back my streaming tears but smiling BECAUSE he is now in heaven with some of his buddies entertaining them. Smiling from ear to ear.

God bless him and his family; we were all lucky to know GENE BURWELL!!!!!! He sure was a pillar to the community of Lincoln.

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Never to be forgotten, certainly adored and deeply appreciated, Gene Burwell left us all much too soon. Rest now, Captain Horsepower, rest in peace. Indeed, we look forward to seeing you again.

[Jim Youngquist]