Guinn's energy adviser dies

Richard "Dick" Burdette died unexpectedly Wednesday after collapsing at a local fitness center. He was 61.

Burdette joined the governor's office in December 2003 as energy and telecommunications adviser after serving five years with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.

There, he was manager of resource and market analysis.

"This is a difficult loss for all of us because not only was Dick extremely gifted at what he did, he was a very fine and genuinely nice person," said Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Burdette was born in Philadelphia in October 1943 and was a consultant to several regulated industries as well as a legislative assistant in the U.S.. Senate and a deputy in the U.S. Department of Transportation before coming to Nevada.

Burdette graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Naval submarine service. He also graduated with a Mater of Arts degree from the University of Delaware in Quantitative Economics.

He is survived by his wife, Julie, daughter, Megan, and sons Ian and Richard III.

Arrangements are pending.