In Memoriam

Burt Davis

Burt Davis died on July 19, 2003. Here are an obituary and letters from Sandy McKleroy '64 and Herb Roth, '63.

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Obituary from Palo Alto Weekly

August 20, 2003

Burt Lincoln Davis, III, 60, died July 19.

A native of Palo Alto, he received degrees from Harvard and Yale universities. He later held teaching positions in the Philippines and schools in Pasadena, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and San Bernardino. Later in his life, he studied at the Episcopal Seminary in Berkeley.

He was active with local Scout Troops 57 and 37.

He was interested in photography and often shared his photographs and slides with friends and contacts. He enjoyed participating in local marathon events. Following a hip replacement in 1993, he switched to biking, a sport he was actively involved with until a disabling stroke in 2001.

He is survived by his brother, Alex M. Davis of Reno, Nev.; and step-family, mother, Isabella Davis, and brothers, Thomas, Philip and R. Theodore Damask.

Friends are invited to extend their physical; cultural and spiritual levels by attending a camping, running or biking event, concert or church service.

Donations may be made in his remembrance to the Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Oljato Fund, 1300 S. Amplett Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402.

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Letter from Sandy McKleroy, '64

July 23, 2003

Burt Davis died peacefully in his sleep this past July 19, 2003. For him, as a converted Catholic, it was no doubt a release from over two years of courageous yet ultimately frustrating effort to regain communication and movement skills lost in a devastating cerebral hemorrhage.

After graduation and an MA in teaching from Harvard, Burt taught primarily History at various California high schools. Always an avid backpacker, Burt had become as well a superb 10K runner (much trimmed down from college days), and later, after a hip replacement, a serious cyclist. This athletic passion led him to a second career as a youth-track photographer. His lifelong love of the outdoors (I always remember his referring to the Sierras as God's Country) brought him to scouting, where for many years he served as a Palo Alto scoutmaster.

Burt remained a bachelor, though nearly yielding on a couple of occasions. He had a good way with young people, who appreciated him greatly, and they often joined us on our long hikes. Alas, our outdoor adventures will have to continue in other realms.

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Letter from Herb Roth, '63

August 27, 2003

I knew Burt in Pierson (he was a year behind me) and was a friend out here in California. Burt was very active in interviewing prospective Yale College applicants in the San Francisco Bay area (he truly loved Yale College) and he also volunteered countless hours for the Boy Scouts. Since he was also active in his church, and much admired for all his pursuits of making the world a better place, I think he actually gave a profound and moral meaning to the old cliché "For God, Country, etc."

Sincerely,
Herb Roth, '63
P.O. Box 138
Leggett, CA 95585