The news broke my heart.

I met Burt when I transferred to the Boeing site at F. E. Warren AFB after the Grand Forks 321st wing was deactivated.

Burt and I worked the night shift together many times.

I recall one late evening when I was taking some trash to the dumpster behind the office. As I opened the lid to the dumpster a giant raccoon jumped out and ran over me and scared me. I was trying to run everywhere at once. I turned around and saw Burt with a rather concerned look on his face.

"Are you OK Jeff?" he asked me with concern.

"I think so." I said, brushing off the remnants of trash that was on me.

Burt began to laugh...

"I thought you were break dancing out here."

We both spent the rest of the evening laughing hysterically at the whole incident.

I learned much from Burt that made me an even better technician. 

Burt was one of most gracious individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was a prince among men. He enriched the lives of everyone. I am definitely the better for having known him.