HUMAN

Name: Richard Burmeister
Age: 74
Residence: Eagle River, Alaska.
Occupation: Retired since 1973
Years involved with Iditarod: 48 years. 
Iditarod Role: Father of Aaron Burmeister.
Current Location: Downtown, Anchorage, Alaska. 
Date of Photo: March 7, 2020
Temperature: 15F/Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I got involved with Iditarod in 1973 when I arrived in Nome as a new teacher working for Nome Public Schools, by Howard Farley and Joe Redington, both of them. When I met them they said, “Well, that’s good. You’re now an Iditarod person.”

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here today because my son is running his 19th Iditarod. And I ran it so many times, I’ve been involved since ’73, and it’s in your blood.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

My favorite memory on Iditarod is probably the first time I finished it, and then the experiences I had while I flew for the Iditarod Air Force.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that I’m still above the ground, I’m still going, and I’m still learning.