Obit of Burton, Robert Leland - Kay County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 02 Nov 2008 Return to Kay County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/kay/kay.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Burton, Robert Leland Dr. Robert Leland Burton, 84, of Sun City West, passed away on September 7, 2007. Dr. Robert Leland Burton passed away on Friday, September 7, 2007 at Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City AZ at the age of 84. Dr. Burton was born in Arkansas City, KS in 1923 to William and Lela Burton. He served proudly in the Army Air Corp as a bombardier/navigator in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. He remained in the Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel until his retirement in 1983. Following the war he earned a Bachelor of Science Education degree from OK. State University and taught high school science in Ponca City, OK. In 1960 he earned a Master of Education Administration degree from the University of MO. He earned his Doctorate of Education Administration degree from the University of OK in 1964. That same year he moved his family to Columbia, MO. where he served for twelve years as Assistant and later, Associate Dean of Education at the University of MO. Following his retirement from administrative duties, and after a sabbatical at the Center for Human Studies in La Jolla, CA. he returned to the University of MO as a specialist in Group Process. He taught in the College of Educational Counseling and Physiology until his full retirement in 1985. During his career he chaired ten doctoral candidates to completion of their PhD?s. In addition, Dr. Burton was a professor Emeritus and one of the first recipients of the prestigious Faculty Alumni Award from the University of MO. Robert Burton married Marcille Morning in 1944; she preceded him in death in 1984. They have four children; Vicki Dunscombe, the late Robert N. Burton, Dr. Robin Blount all of Columbia, MO. and Gayle Burton of Maui, HI. Robert married Johanna Gabriel in 1986, expanding his family to include three additional children: Dr. Shawn Kantor, Merced, CA. Eryn Kantor of San Francisco, CA. and Shanyn Kyle Champeau of Glenn Ridge NJ. In the 21 years that Bob and Johanna have been living in AZ. Their lives have been passionately integrated with their professional endeavors. Johanna as a Psychotherapist and Bob as a Counseling Psychologist, volunteering for six years at the Olive Branch Senior Center in Sun City. Their lives have been rich with travel, visiting such places as the East African nations, the Middle Eastern and European countries (including the former Yugoslavia) and Central and South America. In addition, Bob prided himself in designing their hexagon home, which was their lovely private retreat for six years in Punta Banda, Ensenada, Mexico. Dr. Burton has a talent and passion for photography. He attained Master Class Photographer status while he served as President of the Sun City West Photography Club. His photographic displays have been well received both in MO. and AZ. Robert Burton will be remembered adoringly by his devoted wife and their four furry canine kids: Chi-Chi, Beatrice, Dolly Lama, and Mitzi. Six Children, twelve grandchildren, and six great grandchildren survive him. Over the years his influence instilled a love for education and learning in others. He had a wonderful and positive impact on many lives in his 84 years and will be greatly missed and proudly remembered for his brilliant contributions to all of our lives. Services will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at Sunland Memorial Mortuary, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ. Visitation will be 9:00-11:00AM with funeral service at 11:00AM, and interment following with full military honors. Following services family and friends will be received at the Burton residence. Memorials are suggested to the Dr. Robert L. Burton Scholarship Fund. Checks payable to the University of MO. with notation to the above fund and sent to the Office of Development, University of MO. Alumni Center Room 302 Columbia, MO 65211-2100. Published in The Arizona Republic on 9/14/2007. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Kay County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/kay/kay.html