Keith T. Burnette

Keith T. Burnette, age 81, of Fairborn passed away Monday, September 11, 2023.  He was born June 7, 1942 in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Thomas Mitchell, Jr., and Catherine and Clifford Burnette.  Keith received his PhD in electrical engineering from Purdue University and then served his country in the U.S. Air Force.  He served as president of Midwest Systems Research (MSR) and later founded his own company, Burnette Engineering, both companies in support of the Air Force mission. He was a longtime member of the West Central Ohio Amateur Radio Association (WCOARA), serving as its president for many years; American Radio Relay League and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. He was also a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairborn.  He enjoyed woodworking and traveling the country with a goal of visiting every state. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Janet Roberts and Lynne Piziali.  Keith is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joyce, two sons, Brett (Sara) Burnette, and Kreg (Mike Inskeep) Burnette; daughter, Laura Burnette; granddaughter, Rylee Burnette; 2 brothers-in-law, Charles Roberts and Joe Piziali; nephews, Jeff Piziali, Andy (Jamie) Piziali; niece, Leslie (Jeff) Sorensen; as well as extended family and friends.   A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn.  A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pandora, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to WCOARA -or- PBS (Think TV), 110 South Jefferson Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402.