Burton was born in Passaic, NJ. He graduated from Passaic High School and continued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He also received his law degree at Penn. He loved to teach and inspired innumerable students, teaching accounting when he was a law student and then returning to Penn in the 1990s to teach taxation. Upon graduating from law school in 1959, Burt began his professional career at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., which later became KPMG, where he became a partner and head of the Tax Department. Burt remained with KPMG until his retirement in 1994. Less than a year later, he began a second career with the Charles A. Dana Foundation, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and then President for 28 years. Along the way he also served as Treasurer of United Cerebral Palsy. Burt loved his careers and took tremendous pride in all of his work.
Marcia was the great love of Burt’s life, and their marriage of 62 years was a shining example of love, devotion, and partnership. Burt prioritized family and friends, and he took great pride and joy in his five children, their spouses, and his nine grandchildren. He was always curious about their activities and genuinely interested in the details of their lives, and enthusiastically attended every event, big and small.
When Burt was not busy with his family, he could be found playing golf, attending musical concerts and lectures, reading for one of his several book groups, or playing bridge with wonderful friends.
Burt is survived by his beloved wife, Marcia; children Polly (Matthew Krupnick), Eric (Lisa), Andrew, Peter (Jo-Anne), and Wendy (Jeff Araten); grandchildren Jack, Noah, Emily, Julie, Michael, Alison, Jaden, Sophie, and Abby; brother-in-law Bruce Lerner (Sandi); and many other family members and friends.
A funeral service for Burton will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Temple B'nai Jeshurun, 1025 S Orange Avenue, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078.
