Meaningful steps for a Moorpark High teacher who lost his son

Every year, Moorpark High School history teacher Dan Burchfield explains to his students how history surrounds them wherever they go.

He shows clips from movies such as “Glory” and “Schindler’s List.” His PowerPoint presentation includes a slide of Moorpark’s Veterans Memorial. He also shares his personal history when he shows the class a photo of a plaque on a local bridge that reads: “For all the children who will pass this way. Joel Burchfield.”

Joel is Dan’s late son. On a January day in 1996, the 11-year-old, looking for a shortcut on his walk home from school, cut across the rain-swollen Arroyo Simi. Joel was swept away by the current and drowned.

The town’s residents rallied around Burchfield and his wife, Laura. They helped search for their son’s body and then raised thousands of dollars to assist the family. The couple used most of the money to establish a scholarship fund for Moorpark High School seniors.

In the last two decades, the fund has dwindled to a few hundred dollars. So Burchfield, 59, decided to embark on what he called the Joel Spirit Walk from Santa Barbara to San Pedro to help raise more money. He completed the 130-mile journey, which began July 18, on Saturday.

The Burchfields have raised about $5,000 so far.

“The walking makes it more meaningful,” Burchfield said. “It gives you time to think. Maybe I’ll write a screenplay about all that I’ve been through.”

Burchfield started the sixth day of his walk about 8 a.m. in Santa Monica. It was gloomy and overcast when he stepped outside his motel room in black shorts and a gray sleeveless Dodgers T-shirt. He had already walked 95 miles. The hard pavement was taking its toll.

“I’ll get a trash can each night and fill it with ice, so I can soak my feet,” he said.

Along his walk that day, Burchfield gazed out at the ocean: “Dan the walking man,” he said to no one in particular as he continued his steady pace. “That’s who I am.”

The summer after Joel died, Burchfield recalled how he and his wife watched as their son’s former team embarked on an improbable run to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

The Burchfields traveled with the team, whose players wore wristbands with their son’s number and played in nine elimination games before finally losing.

During the team’s run, Joel’s name was sometimes announced with the 13 Moorpark players: “And Moorpark’s 14th player, their angel in the outfield, Joel Burchfield!”

“I prayed about that. I wanted them to keep winning,” said Burchfield as he walked along Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey. “So that the story of Joel would get out there and stay out there.”

Much of what Burchfield has done over the last 20 years has gone toward keeping Joel’s spirit alive. It’s why the onetime plumber became a teacher and started the scholarship fund.

Last year, Burchfield won a district teaching award, directed a school play and helped coach the baseball team. He also taught his usual speech, drama and history classes.

Levi Gotsman, 20, one of Burchfield’s former drama students, still keeps in touch with him. “This is a person who actually cared about his job,” he said.

Gotsman joined his former teacher on his walk from Mussel Shoals to Ventura. As they walked, they discussed the young man’s recent trip to London for a Shakespeare program.

“He took me under his wing,” Gotsman said, “and gave me the freedom to explore what I’m still doing today.”

During their walk, Burchfield told Gotsman about his third attempt to pass the test for his teaching credential. It was two years after Joel’s death.

When the envelope arrived with the results, Burchfield walked to the bridge over the Arroyo Simi. The one with the plaque with his son’s name.

Burchfield said he aspired to become a teacher for one reason. “I wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives,” he said. “Because I lost that with my son.”

That day on the bridge, Burchfield learned he had passed the test.

Donation information: The Joel Burchfield Memorial Fund, Dan and Laura Burchfield, 12345 Sunnyglen Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021

benjamin.oreskes@latimes.com

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