David L. “Dave” Burner, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goodrich Corporation and a longtime leader in the aerospace industry, died on October 1, 2026, near his home in Darby, Montana.
Dave, the son of Virgil and Mary Burner, was born in Lodi, Ohio and spent sixty years living and working in the Buckeye state. He was a proud New London Wildcat, a graduate of Ohio University and raised his family in Hudson, Ohio. Dave was preceded in death by his son Christopher Burner and Daughter-in-Law Alison Jones Burner. He is survived by his wife Sandra (Sutherland) Burner, daughters Julia (Stephen) Kalis and Susan (Brandon) Bankowski, and fourteen grandchildren
Dave began his professional career with Arthur Andersen & Co. His background in finance and accounting would eventually lead him into a remarkable career in corporate leadership and the aerospace industry at the Goodrich Corporation. Throughout his tenure, Burner steered the company through a vital evolution. He was instrumental in repositioning Goodrich from its historic tire and chemical roots to one of the world’s premier aerospace and defense systems manufacturers.
Burner began his journey with The BFGoodrich Company in 1983 as Financial Vice President of its Engineered Products Group. His exceptional operational acumen and vision quickly propelled him through the management ranks. In 1987 he became president of what would become BFGoodrich Aerospace. Dave rose steadily through the company’s senior leadership ranks. He was named President of BFGoodrich in 1995, Chief Executive Officer in 1996 and Chairman of the Board in 1997. During his years at the helm, Goodrich became a major global supplier of aerospace systems, components and services, with products aboard aircraft throughout the world.
Dave’s leadership extended well beyond Goodrich. Over the course of his career, Dave served on the boards of numerous public and private companies, including Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Brush Engineered Materials, Milacron, Progress Energy, Engelhard Corporation and Lance. He also served as chairman of the Ohio Aerospace Institute and was active in national aerospace industry organizations.
In a recent letter, a former colleague shared: “Dave’s philosophy was simple, and a bit dangerous. Set high expectations. Give people full responsibility. Hold them fully accountable. Sometimes it didn’t work out. Far more often, though, it did something no bonus or slogan could do. He was sharing the risk with us. It made people feel trusted, and people who feel trusted will give you everything they have. Dave had a name for what came back. He called it sweat equity, and he collected more of it than anyone I’ve known.”
Following retirement, Dave and his wife Sandy created Stardust Ranch in Darby, Montana. The years spent in Montana were filled with visits from old friends and family, new friends, and many hours enjoying the mountains and rivers. Retirement did not mean stepping away from business or service. Dave remained involved in entrepreneurial and community organizations, joining the board, and then serving as President of a Montana & Idaho Community Development Corporation, now MoFi.
Dave’s professional legacy can be measured in the growth and transformation of one of America’s oldest industrial companies, but those who knew him will remember a life that extended well beyond the boardroom. Dave was a father, husband, grandfather, colleague, mentor and friend.
His decades of leadership, his continued commitment to entrepreneurship and community development after retirement, and the relationships he built along the way leave an enduring mark.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dave’s honor to any of the following:
- Hope Hospice Center Missoula, https://hopehospicecenter.org/
- Bitterroot Land Trust, https://bitterrootlandtrust.org/
- Darby Community Public Library, https://www.darbylibrary.net/
- Darby Rodeo Association, https://www.darbyrodeo.org/
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