Geek of the Year – Rick Burts

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Rick Burts is Geek of the Year! Rick has volunteered over 500 hours since first joining Kramden in 2018. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, along with helping in the warehouse, Rick served as a regular assistant for Kramden’s in-person digital literacy classes.  Throughout 2020 Rick showed up week after week (with his mask on!) logging over 250 hours and playing a huge role in helping Kramden get computers out the door during the pandemic. Thank you, Rick, for your continued support and dedication to Kramden’s mission!

Favorite Geek Books: Interconnections Bridges and Routers by Radia Perlman which is a wonderful description of the basics of networking computers and started me down the path of working with networks

Favorite TV Show: NCIS

Favorite Geek Movie: Star Wars series

Favorite Geek Website: Kramden.org

What is the geekiest thing about you? I really like to figure out how things work. And I really like to solve puzzles. And those things combine when I am working on triage and/or final test for our computers.

What is your favorite thing about volunteering with Kramden?  Earlier in my career, I was a teacher, and (when we were able to offer in-person classes) I really was gratified to be able to assist with our classes. I continue to feel proud of what we do in the warehouse to provide computers to those who otherwise would not have access to a computer.

Best Kramden Moment?  I was at the opticians being fitted for a new pair of glasses. I mentioned that after the fitting I would be going out to Kramden to volunteer. The young lady who was doing the fitting responded “OH Kramden!! When I was in school they gave me a computer. It made such a difference for me”. Encountering someone to whom we made such a difference was inspiring.

When you are not volunteering at Kramden, what do you do?  I work on various projects around the house and the yard. I like to cook and am proud of the sourdough starter which I have maintained for about 20 years. There is an online forum for people who use Cisco networking equipment and I am an active participant in this community.