Micheal Allen Burgett

Micheal Allen Burgett was born on April 11, 1947 in Decatur, NE to Emmett and Joan (Taylor) Burgett. He grew up in Omaha, NE attending Webster School for grade school, graduating from Omaha South High School in 1965, and taking classes at UNO. Growing up, Micheal enjoyed drawing, participating in the high school choir, working on muscle cars, playing bass guitar in a band, and martial arts. Throughout his life, Micheal worked as a mechanical engineer at various engineering firms, including HDR for 19 years. Some of his major projects at HDR included Methodist and Children’s Hospitals, the Aquarium at the Omaha’s Henry Dorley Zoo, and the Holland Performing Arts Center. Micheal was presented the Gold Award of Excellence for community service in 2006 and the Pathfinder Award of Excellence in 2008 by the HDR National Pathfinder Awards committee. He also served on the City of Omaha’s Plumbing Code Review Committee for many years. Micheal had four children: Michael, Michelle, Nicole, and Angela. On September 10, 1988, he married Peggy Joyce Wooldrik-Kucera at the Louis E. May Museum in Fremont, NE. As an adult, Micheal continued to draw and was a talented artist, earning artist of the month at Blick Art Materials. Micheal was also very good at car restoration, design, carpentry, welding, and home remodeling. He was proud of the dream garage he designed for himself, which included heated floors. When working on his projects, he would say, “If it doesn’t fit, you make it fit.” He also picked up martial arts again along with his daughter, Angela. Going to swap meets and car shows were also favorite pastimes. Michael enjoyed movies, especially martial arts and western films, while snacking on popcorn. His favorite restaurants were Red Lobster and Godfathers, and he enjoyed getting a sugar-free caramelicious from Scooters. There were several clubs Micheal was involved in, including: German American Society in Omaha, Street-tiques car club in Omaha, Midwest Camero Club, and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers Omaha Chapter. He served a term as president for both car clubs, as well as for the Plumbing Engineers where he also held many other leadership positions/roles. It was also important to Micheal to spend time with family and keep traditions and heritages alive. With family, Micheal enjoyed going for car rides or sitting under the covered porch in the rain, looking at houses and admiring the architecture, getting popcorn or ice cream or going out to dinner, and watching movies. His loved ones enjoyed drawing with him, helping him in the garage and listening to him sing along with the radio to oldies. They will remember his loud laugh and whistle and the jokes he told to make people laugh. He liked to tell strangers his name was Fango Motts – Motts, like the applesauce. Some of his favorite sayings included: “No thank you, I just had a bar of soap.”, “Does your nose run? Do your feet smell? You must be built upside down!”, in response to “Hi” he would say “Hi? No, I’m not high.”, and in response to “What’re you up to?” he answered “About 5’11”. Micheal will be remembered by his family for his artistic abilities, intelligence, humor, kindness, and charismatic personality. He did not like to see people being unkind or entitled. One way Micheal showed compassion towards others was always stopping to help when he saw someone experiencing car troubles. Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Peggy Burgett; son, Michael; daughters: Michelle (David) Hoeft, Nicole Burgett, and Angela Burgett; and grandchildren: Tawny (Matt) Bruyette, Ben (Kirsten) Hoeft, Chandler Hoeft, and Dylan (Trinity) Craig. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Joan Burgett. A celebration of life gathering will be held from 1-4pm on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn, NE.

Micheal Allen Burgett

April 11, 1947 - January 1, 2026