Buttina and Burling’s Bittersweet Honor

The Menomonee Falls Scholarship Foundation administered more than $170,000 in scholarships this year, but none were any more special than two, $500 awards given in honor of beloved teachers.

The inaugural Richard A. Buttina and Ronald L. Burling memorial scholarships were presented Wednesday night at the annual Scholarship Awards at the high school.

Buttina was a Naval commander-turned teacher, and he taught fifth grade at Ben Franklin for 18 years. He passed away from cancer on Dec. 25 at the age of 64.

Burling taught math at North and the high school from 1972-1997, and coached several sports including gymnastics, swimming, track and football. He passed away from pneumonia and bleeding ulcers on Oct. 5 at 73.

Wednesday, their families honored the men committed to giving the next generation everything they had. Each presented a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior. It wasn’t easy for their loved ones but it was special.

“I was very proud to do it. It was very touching,” said Susan Buttina, Rick’s wife.

“Bittersweet,” said Mike Burling, Ron’s youngest son. “I know it’s something he would have wanted.”

Buttina’s stern military style initially scared students, but they learned; and they learned to like and respect who would later become a favorite teacher of many.

Like Amy Bartos, who said she wanted a different teacher entering fifth grade. But she soon became grateful for Buttina’s meticulous attention to detail. He turned into one of her favorite teachers.

And Bartos coincidentally turned out to be the first recipient of the Richard A. Buttina Memorial Scholarship. She will be attending Minnesota.

Requirements for the Buttina scholarship included students completing an essay on what character meant to them. The family picked the top five and let the scholarship committee figure out the rest.

“It meant a lot that it was one of his former students,” said Susan.

The recipient of the Ron Burling scholarship isn’t a former student, but she’s not far off. Molly Dederich has Ron’s son, Mike, for math this year.

Among the scholarship requirements were an intention to go into education and to have played a sport in high school, which fit Ron’s passions.

For Mike, it’s like father, like son. Just like dad, Mike teaches math and coaches track, and his two older siblings are in education. Mike’s wife, Sara, teaches business at the high school.

While Ron retired in 1997, he filled in regularly for teachers on maternity leave and still served as assistant track coach.

 “Up to the day he passed he worked for the district,” said Sara.

“It’s nice to recognize his honor and what he meant to education,” said Mike.

Menomonee Falls coed track invite this year was renamed the Ron Burling Invitational.

Even in death, these two educators are still giving back.