RALPH ERNEST BURT JR.

PANTON — Ralph Ernest Burt, Jr., age 83, died at Porter Medical Center on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Ralph was born to Ralph Ernest Burt Sr. and Lucile (Matthews) Burt on May 10, 1939, in Springfield, Mass.

He was a 1963 graduate of the University of Connecticut. Ralph was at the Naval Ordinance Laboratory from 1963-1968. Ralph worked at Sanders and Associates in Nashua, N.H. from 1968-1979. Following the move to Panton, Vt., he worked at BF Goodrich from 1979 until his retirement in 2005.

Ralph spent his retirement years building a kit sport-airplane (and learning how to fly it), going to kettlebell classes, volunteering as a puppy-raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and walking his beloved dog Fresca.

Ralph leaves his wife of 59 years, Joan of Vergennes; his sons Russell (Susan) of South Burlington and Steve (Kent) of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren Kirby Burt, Ryan Burt, Jessica Burt, Bailey Burt, Oliver Bailey-Burt, Ryan Croxford and Ruth Croxford. Ralph also leaves a sister, Elizabeth Boulanger (Gerald) of Easthampton, Mass., as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. Those wishing to honor his life can make a donation in his name to Guiding Eyes for the Blind through their website donate.guidingeyes.org. To send online condolences to his family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com.◊