John Mortensen Burman, born January 28, 1955 in Worland, Wyoming, died at home in Laramie on February 21, 2019, of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), a hereditary brain disease that causes atrophy of the cerebellum, the area of the brain that controls motor functioning. Though it brought his own death and that of two siblings and his father, John quipped good-naturedly even about SCA: “The good part of the disease is that other parts of the brain do not atrophy, so that cognition remains the same. I am no smarter than before.”
He grew up in Laramie, graduating from Laramie High School in 1973. As the starting center for two years on the LHS basketball team, he demonstrated many of the qualities that would characterize his later life as lawyer and professor: swift decisiveness, fluid dexterity, joyful competitiveness, and love of teamwork. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1978 with a major in history, and then Magna Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1981.
John had a profound love of family and Wyoming. He married Marilyn Paules, the true love of his life, in 1979. Of Marilyn, also a Laramie native, he wrote, “there is an old saying that behind every successful man is a woman. I think we need to update that saying, because I don’t believe that Marilyn has ever been behind me. Rather, she has always been in front of me encouraging me to start projects I really did not want to do; cajoling me to finish projects of which I had tired; and dropping back once in a while to help me through a rough patch.”
John knew the importance of family: grandparents, parents, in-laws, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He told graduating law students in 2011 that, “No one gets through law school alone. Rather, he or she makes it with the help of others.” He relished time with family and friends “taking it to the heart” in his favorite wild places (Boulder Ridge, the Absaroka Wilderness, the Wind Rivers, and the nearby Park and Snowy Ranges).
After working as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota, John returned to Laramie in 1984 to join the law firm of Corthell and King. In 1989 he became a fulltime faculty member at the University of Wyoming College of Law. He directed the Legal Services Clinic and later became the Carl M. Williams Professor of Law and Ethics. “Students,” he wrote, “are great. And while it is almost impossible to select the best part of teaching, it is not difficult for me. The best part is the students, followed closely by former students.” More than 1,500 students took courses from him. He was recognized with multiple awards, a few of which include the University of Wyoming’s John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award, the Thurman Arnold award for “outstanding contributions to the legal profession and to the College of Law”, honored by the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association for “extraordinary devotion and commitment to legal ethics and professional responsibility in Wyoming and across the nation”, the Wyoming State Bar’s President’s award, the [Justice Michael] Golden Award from Wyoming Children’s Justice Foundation “in recognition of leadership on behalf of children and families”, and he was named as Outstanding Faculty Member by eight graduating classes of the UW College of Law.
John was a lawyer’s lawyer, appearing in Wyoming’s courts thousands of times, and maintaining an active practice at Corthell and King until he died. As a legal ethics guru, John’s Ethically Speaking column appeared in the Wyoming Lawyer every two months from February 1996 through December 2014. He also wrote articles for a national quarterly (WealthCounsel), published numerous law review articles, wrote the treatise Professional Responsibility in Wyoming, and even published fiction short stories. Even so, he was never too busy to keep up with countless former students and colleagues who turned to him for advice. As one wrote, “more importantly, when John’s phone rang, he answered it. Regardless of whether you were the Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court or a ‘just trying to get by’ newcomer to the practice of law, he answered every inquiry from every judge or lawyer who found herself in an ethical bind.”
Born with wanderlust, he travelled to over 30 countries, usually with Marilyn, often as a member of legal delegations (to Russia, Belarusia, China and Jordan) attempting to cultivate the rule of law around the globe. He was thrilled to receive a Fulbright Teaching Fellowship at Petrozavodsk State University in Karelia, Russia in 1998.
After retiring early due to his health, John unexpectedly found the other love of his life: the State of Wyoming Judicial Nominating Commission. As a champion for gender equality, he relentlessly advocated for his belief that equality should be reflected in our judiciary, especially when female candidates of equal or higher qualification applied for judgeships. He was delighted to see three women serving on the Wyoming Supreme Court–a step, he thought, in the right direction.
John is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his mother Mary Mortensen Burman, brothers Bill (Kari) and Tom (Elizabeth) and his sister Mary Evelyn (Charlie DeWolf), as well as by his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Miriam and Bob Grant, and Linda and Bob Littlewood. He loved his nieces and nephews and their families: Jim (Sarra, Shareef, Layla and Dounia), Aaron (Valerie, Rhys and Jaden), Matthew (Emily and Davis), David and Erin Burman, Ella DeWolf, Jill Hellevang (Reagan) and Tia Tenbrink (Todd, Raquel and Cole). He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Adolph and Jenny Burman and Axel and Mabel Mortensen, his father, Robert Burman, Marilyn’s parents, Leon and Grace Paules, brother-in-law, Merle Paules, as well as his brothers, Jim and Edward.
As Augustus McCrae, one of John’s favorite characters from Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove, put it: “It’s been quite a party, ain’t it!” John did not want any services or flowers, but memorials can be sent to the John Mortensen Burman Nursing Scholarship at the Denver Health Foundation (601 Broadway, MC 0111, Denver, CO 80203), the Wyoming Children’s Law Center Inc. (112 South 5th Street, Laramie, WY 82070), and the Albany County Public Library Foundation (310 S. Eighth Street, Laramie, WY 82070).
“God Bless Wyoming and Keep it Wild.” – Helen Mettler
Prof. Burman was one of those individuals that makes you want to be the best that you can. He showed us that practicing law was about our clients! He always took time to talk to students even after we graduated. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends.
To Marilyn and family, I've been thinking of you since I heard this sad news. John had such an impact on so many. Personally, I cherish my third year of law school working with John in the Legal Services Clinic and the many trips to the prisons. John graciously never complained or acted nervous about my driving on snowy roads (which would have been warranted). John was larger than life. I love that you included a quote from Augustus McCrae. Sending virtual hugs.
Mary our condolences on the loss of your brother. May you find comfort in your family around you and from what I read, he did indeed live a full life, doing the things that truly meant something to him. We are thinking of you . Prayers and hugs
Mary, The world became a little dimmer with John's passing. He was truly a great man. My sincerest sympathy at this time of your loss.
Marilyn and family - you are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find peace in your memories. Love, Kathy
My prayers and condolences for Marilyn and family. I didn't know John for a very long time, but it doesn't take a lot of time to know what a wonderful, inspiring man he truly was. I will never forget his kindness, and his loving smile and laughter. I feel blessed to have known him and Marilyn. Blessings to all of you!
My thoughts and prayers go out to Marilyn and the extended family. Wyoming and I am so much better for having known John and sharing this journey with him. Professor, friend, confidante, champion -- John was all of those things to me. Marilyn, I loved you both dearly. May you find strength in knowing he was a true legend.
To John's family and extended family-- Tears flow as I write this. I cannot improve on what Shakespeare wrote in another context but appropriate here: : "His life was gentle, and the elements mixed so well in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man.' "
My family moved next to the Burmans when I was in sixth grade. John and were in the same class. I had a crush on him back then, and eventually he married one of my best friends, Marilyn Paules. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary, Bill, Tom, Mary, and of course Marilyn, as well as your families. John was an inspiration to all he met. He and Marilyn were such a great team. My heart goes out to all of you.
There are those who teach us, those from whom we learn and those who inspire us and change our lives forever—that was Professor Burman—and his better half Marilyn. May the good lord appreciate the incredible soul that has ascended as much as we have benefitted. Thank you and God Bless.
John was such an asset to the legal community. He was generous and thoughtful with his advise, and I so appreciated his insight and knowledge. Anne Ashley
Marilyn, you and your extended family are in our prayers. We will offer prayers for the repose of John's soul and spiritual consolation for you and his family at Sunday Mass at St William's Catholic Church in Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance to Yellowstone. Attorney Lee Pico
We grew up next door to the Burman family and have fond memories of those days. It was always exciting at their home with 7 kids there was never a dull moment. I clearly remember Mr. Burman walking to UW snow or shine for work. A loving family. With sincere condolences LeeAnn, Michael and JoAnne Ferguson
Prof. Burman is the finest educator I have ever had. His commitment was not solely to teaching the law and getting published. His commitment was to his students, his community, and simply helping people who were in need. He was a great man. I am honored to have been one of Prof. Burman's student. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Great man. Amazing teacher. Even better friend.
I am honored to have known John, it was a privilege to work with him. He taught me so much about life and myself. My heart goes out to his beautiful wife Marilyn. Prayers to the family.