John S. Burdick

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John S. Burdick, 61, Cultural Anthropologist
John S. Burdick, 61, died in Syracuse, NY on July 4, 2020. Born on April 11, 1959 in Northampton, MA, John was raised in Pontiac, MI. John attended Yale University, where he was awarded a Masters’ Degree in History in 1982 and the City University of New York, where he was awarded a Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1990. John and his family have resided in Syracuse since 1992, when he started teaching at Syracuse University in the Department of Anthropology.
John was a Professor and served as Chair of the Anthropology Department from 2012-2017. As Associate Director of the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts, he co-founded and led the Syracuse Social Movements Initiative for 11 years. He was an inspiring teacher to both undergraduate and graduate students, to whom he was a tireless mentor. His work bridged academia and activism; he was often an active participant in the social movements he studied. He valued peace, justice, and mutual understanding.
John was deeply committed to the University community. He served on many committees, including the Committee on Academic Freedom, Tenure and Professional Ethics, Provost’s Advisory Committee on Promotion and Tenure, and was elected to the University Senate. Recognition of his exceptional academic achievements included, among others, the award of the William Wasserstrom Prize for Outstanding Graduate Teaching, the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, Service Through Peace and the Chancellor’s Inspire Award.
John was a prolific writer and editor. He authored several books about religion, race, gender and politics in Brazil, including Looking for God in Brazil (1993), Blessed Anastacia (1998), Legacies of Liberation (2004) and The Color of Sound (2013). His most recent project involved a study of several social housing projects in the center city of Rio de Janeiro, and the lives of the residents who build and shape those communities.
John was actively involved in the Syracuse community. He worked extensively with the Westside Residents Coalition (WRC), advocating for thoughtful, equitable and community-led betterment of the Westside of Syracuse. He was vital in the creation of Gifford Street Community Press, providing Westside residents a platform to express their concerns about gentrification, police conduct, and disability rights. He was also a longtime member of the Syracuse Peace Council.
John blended commitment to justice with his university teaching. He created the Community Engagement Fellows Program, where students studied social change while working with Syracuse social justice organizations focused on indigenous and immigrant rights. He later developed this program into a minor at Syracuse University directly focused on public advocacy. Throughout, John was known for his advocacy for all students, their education, and their public commitments.
No less important to John was his family, for whom he always made time. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Judith Malkin; his children, Molly Malkin Burdick and Benjamin Malkin Burdick (Kara McCall); his parents Dolores Burdick and Harvey Burdick (Jean Goddard) and his brothers Albert Burdick (Diane Kinney) and Anthony Burdick (Kate).
John loved to travel, take walks with his family, porch-sit, play ping pong and watch movies. His favorite was It’s a Wonderful Life.
A celebration of life event will take place when the risk from COVID-19 has abated.
Sisskind Funeral Service LLC has arrangements