He was married to the former Helen Handson of Carrollton, Alabama, and had two children, Debra Alaine (Mrs. James Dahl) and Kenneth Cliff.
Funderburk reported that the board gave him two goals early in his administration: improving the university's financial situation and initiating a capital campaign.
It was Funderburk’s management style to surround himself with close advisors from AUM[clarification needed] while spending up to a third of his time away from campus with alumni or members of the legislature.
[7] Funderburk's policies had antagonized many faculty and administrative staff members and brought into question the mission of the 127-year-old institution in the Alabama town that bears its name.
The majority of the faculty was convinced that Funderburk intended to concentrate the school's resources on agriculture and engineering at the expense of the liberal arts and sciences.
[9] Funderburk influenced the institution's historical development during a period of significant change in Kentucky higher education in regard to enrollment and financing.
[10] During Funderburk’s first year as president, he fulfilled his presidential duties in a superior manner and held true values of higher education in Kentucky.
He served 14 years as president of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. Dr. Funderburk also enjoyed golfing and traveling with his wife Helen and their many friends.