Robert Lee Burton

In loving memory

Robert Lee Burton (Bob), 74, born July 7, 1931, passed away Dec. 29 at Kadlec Hospital, Richland. With his wife and family by his side, Bob passed peacefully after a long and courageous battle against cancer.

One of 11 children, Bob was born in Long Beach and raised in Wallowa County and Umapine, Ore. He served in the Marine Corps where he learned amphibian tractor mechanics and was in active duty in Korea. In Sept. 1955, he married Phyllis Fay DeBoer in the First Christian Church of Milton Freewater, Ore. They moved to Othello in 1958 where they own and operate a family farm. They operated a custom farming business through 1987. A skillful farm machinery mechanic, Bob worked as field specialist for Freeman Baler Manufacturing Co. from 1987 through 1998. Upon retirement from Freeman Baler Manufacturing, he continued to service baler customers as technical consultant for Bridon Cordage LLC from 1998 to present. He enjoyed sharing his expertise when solving mechanical problems for his clients and friends. He also used his mechanical skill creating metal art pieces.

Community-minded, he provided community and leadership service through various organizations. Throughout the last 45 years he was ASCS board member, FHA board member, and weed district board member and chairman. As a fair board member and president, Bob was instrumental in moving the Tri-County Fair to Othello when it became the Adams County Fair. He received Othello Chamber of Commerce Agri-Businessman Award for Outstanding Farmer and Community Achievement 1984. His service included a strong commitment to community youth programs for which he was 4-H club leader, youth sports program supporter including charter member of the Othello Activities Booster club, and built floats for the Othello Jr. Miss Program.

Bob enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting and fishing. He guided family and friends on horseback fishing and camping trips in the Wallowa Mountains until recent years.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughters and sons-in-law, Winnie Jo and Lee Savitch of Bellingham, Kayla and Kurt Neithercutt of Phoenix, Ariz.; sons and daughters-in-law, Todd and Christiane Burton of Seattle, Lincoln and Brooke Burton of Grafton, NSW, Australia; grandchildren, Samantha Savitch, Skyla Savitch, Lauren Burton, Madeleine Burton, Riley Burton, Kellsie Burton, Emersyn Burton, Karisa Neithercutt, and Konrad Neithercutt.

They will tell you that he could do anything and anything he did, he did "the best".

He is survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Pauline Alexander, of Milton-Freewater, Ore., Gwen and Jerry Kirk of Kennewick, Patricia and Lyle Hand of Bellingham, Beverly and John Cunnington of Walla Walla; brother, Ted Burton of Yakima. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Jack and Rodney Burton; and sisters, Eileen and Ruth Burton, and Shirley Mader

A time for final visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Chapel on Friday, Jan. 6 from noon until 6 p.m. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Othello Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow at the Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made in Bob's memory to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at P.O. Box 19024, J5-200, Seattle, Wash. 98109-1024.