Dr. Gilbert W. Burton

Gilbert W. Burton, PhD, of Mountainside N.J., passed away at home on Saturday, November 10, 2018, surrounded by his family.   

A memorial service will be held on November 24, 2018, at 2 p.m., at the Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home Westfield, N.J.

Gilbert was born to Dr. Gilbert and Eliza Burton of Vinton, Virginia. He resided there until 1952 when after the death of his father the family moved to California. During his youth he was an active member of the Boy Scouts and various athletic teams. He would graduate from Monrovia High School and the University of California, Berkeley before earning his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Champaign. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the American Chemistry Society. Dr. Burton’s entire professional career was at the Exxon Chemical Company, mainly as a senior research analyst in the Polymers Group at their facilities in Linden, N.J.

His retirement years were spent with his beloved wife of 54 years, the former Velta Eichvalds. While an avid traveler, his true passions were his family and friends, reading, and education. He was often in attendance at his grandchildren’s activities. If not at a New Providence football game or band competition he would likely be spotted at the Mountainside Library or around town helping a friend fix a household item. Many a high school student sat at his dining room table being tutored in science or mathematics.

He is survived by his wife Velta, their son Steven, their grandchildren Chad and Kylie, his brothers Preston and James as well as seven nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrous Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois, 60611.

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