Obituary: BURTON, ROBERT

Robert Corry Burton1931 ~ 2013Our deeply loved husband, father, and grandfather, Robert Corry Burton, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, August 4, 2013. He will be missed for a long time to come. He leaves a legacy of 10 children, 47 grandchildren, and a multitude of great grandchildren, who have all been blessed by his hard work and sacrifice.Robert was born on August 16, 1931 in Ogden, Utah and grew up in Arlington and Falls Church, Virginia. As a young man, he served in the Texas/New Mexico LDS Mission. His wife, Janice, was literally the girl next door, and they married when she was barely eighteen. They were sealed by his grandfather, Robert I. Burton, in the Salt Lake Temple on September 23, 1955, and they lived a productive life, side by side, for the next 57 years.Brilliant and dedicated, Robert earned his PhD in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and very soon afterward was offered a full professorship at BYU teaching mathematics and computer science. He was known as a fervent teacher and mentor to many; some of his relationships with his students continued throughout his lifetime. He led the design team specializing in circuit optimization with Signetics/Philips Semiconductors for 20 years, in Utah and later in New Mexico. He also served as an Air Force officer for several years and continued to consult with the military on various projects for many years afterward. He was a lifelong learner; his enthusiasm for "The Pure Beauty of Physics" never faded. He was an adventurer, unafraid of danger, who loved to spend time with his children out of doors. He will be remembered fondly for his eccentricities and his sense of humor. He had a beautiful tenor voice, loved classical music, and delighted in his wife's talent as an organist.Robert is survived by his wife Janice and by their children; Beth Jepson (Dee), Bob Burton (Melissa), Larry Burton (Lorena), Ted Burton (Melody), Bill Burton (Kate), Virginia Zebolsky (Paul), David Burton (Paulette), Amy Clay (Phill), Kate Monson (Quin), and Laura Riley (Mike). We know that he has been joyfully reunited with his parents, Robert and Anne Burton, and his grandchildren, Luke Burton and Jalidia Janice Burton. The family is grateful to Natalie Young for her care in the past year, and for the love and charity given by neighbors as his health declined.Funeral services will be held Saturday, August. 10, 2013 at 11:00 in the Lindon 17th Ward chapel, 1051 East 200 South., Lindon, Utah. With a viewing prior to the services from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the East Lawn Cemetery, Provo, Utah.Condolences can be offered at www.olpinmortuary.com.