(Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2001, Modesto Bee, Modesto, CA) March 26, 1920 -- June 29, 2001 Dr. Leo George "Rox" Burkett, 81, of Ketchum, Idaho died June 29 at his home. Dr. Burkett was a native of Chandler, Okla. He was a physician. After high school he traveled to California where he attended Modesto Junior College. During this time, he joined the Air National Guard and became a pilot. He attended the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Southern California. When World War II broke out, he joined the Army Air Corps and spent five years flying B17s and commanding his squadron. He flew 31 missions. He returned to school and graduated in 1950 from the University of Utah with a medical degree. He interned in Stockton and then moved to Downey, Idaho, where he practiced for 29 years. After retiring, he joined a company that sent him to many parts of the United States, where he relieved local physicians. He was Physician of the Year for the State of Idaho in 1983. He twice served as president of the Idaho Medical Society and several times as a delegate to the Idaho Medical Association House of Delegates. He built a cattle and farming operation in Downey that employed many young people. He was awarded Idaho Grossman of the year in 1963. He also developed a large wheat farm in Montana. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to the Ketchum-Sun Valley area. He is survived by his wife, Fern Burkett of Ketchum, Idaho; children, Janet B. Hatch of Napa, Gail Burkett of Downey, Idaho, Debra Davis of Park City, Utah, Dr. Rox C. Burkett, Timothy L. Burkett and Michele Rebermann, all of Salt Lake City; brothers, Bill Burkett of Rancho Murrieta and Bob Burkett of Modesto; sister, Vernal Young of Modesto; and 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Wood River Chapel, Ketchum, Idaho in charge of arrangements. Remembrances may be made to Hospice of the Wood River Valley, P.O. Box 4320, Ketchum, Idaho 83340, or The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Development Department 7501 N.W., 9th Ave., Miami, Fla., 33136-1494.