More detail on this person: Richard Wight Burt,
88, beloved patriarch, passed away on October 20,
2012, attended by his children. Richard was born
in Bear River City, Utah on July 12, 1924 to
Reginald Nelson Burt and Mary Amelia Wight. He is
survived by one brother, Clinton (Louise) Burt.
His sisters and brothers who predeceased him are,
Ruth (Gordon) Miner, Albert (Betty), Ted (Marj),
Harold (Rae), and Barbara (Lee) Hawkes.
Richard grew up on the family farm in Bear River
City, Box Elder County, Utah a member of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In
1943 He joined the Army Air Corps, was trained and
deployed to the European theater (Italy) as a
crewman in a B-24 Bomber Group. His bomber was
shot down over Yugoslavia on his fourth mission,
where he was captured by the Germans and spent
the rest of the war as a POW.
Returning from the war he married his high school
sweetheart, Evelyn Deem, on December 4, 1945 in
the Logan LDS Temple. Richard and Evelyn had
three children, Terese (Errol) Fife, Neil (Vicki)
and Russell (Deb). They have 14 grandchildren, one
deceased (Nathan), 19 great-grandchildren with one
more on the way.
Richard learned early how to work hard; he also
learned he did not want to be a farmer. He had
always dreamed of flying. He started as a
certified aircraft mechanic, learned how to fly
and rose to the rank of Major in the Civil Air
Patrol. He worked in Army Aviation as a mechanic;
received training both as a fixed wing and rotary
wing (helicopter) pilot. In 1968 he was called up
to serve in the conflict in Viet Nam, returning in
1969. He ended his full time career as the Shop
Foreman (40th INF MECH, Aviation CO), Chief Test
Pilot, a rank of CW4 and as an Army Master
Aviator.
After his retirement he built the home that he and
Evelyn had designed. They served 4 full time
missions for the LDS church; Nauvoo Illinois,
Philippines Micronesia Area (all 14 missions), New
York City (Manhattan Family History Center), and
Wisconsin Milwaukee (Family History). Between
missions he served as an LDS Bishop. He then
continued to serve as a part time worker in the
Salt Lake City Family History Center. He became
his family's historian authoring numerous books on
his ancestors and himself. He also found time to
build furniture for Evelyn.
Because of poor health they decided to sell their
home and move to an assisted living facility where
last month Evelyn predeceased him.
Funeral services will be held under the direction
of Bishop Ty Jeppesen of the Centerville 5th Ward.
The funeral will be at the Centerville 1st Ward,
160 South 300 East, Centerville, Utah at 11:00am
Saturday, October 27, 2012. Viewing held Friday
evening at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North
Main, Bountiful, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. There will
also be a viewing 9:45am - 10:45am Saturday
morning at the church prior to services. Interment
will be at the Brigham City Cemetery. Online guest
book at www.russonmortuary.com.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on October 24, 2012
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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