I am sadden by Burt’s passing. He was a friend and a teacher to me. Always willing to give me guidance, and always with a welcoming smile. I feel a great loss. May he Rest In Peace.
I first encountered Burt four years ago shortly after taking the woodshop basics class. I, with no real woodworking experience, was preparing to cut some pieces on the tablesaw. Burt walks up and calmly says “What are you doing?”, and proceeded to show me the RIGHT way to do it. I was thinking - who’s this guy, but he seemed to know what he was talking about, so I followed his advice.
Since then every time I walked through the shop he would say “Hey Mike” - he remembered my name from the very beginning. He took interest in what I was doing, giving me tips and every now and then asking me for advice on one thing or another. As an active user of the lathe room he would often greet me with - “What do you need?”, and he would usually find a way to get us what we needed.
I’m gonna miss him, the place won’t be the same without him.
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OMG, I can’t believe it. My heart is so sad.
As long as I can remember, Burt has been a driving force at DMS. I’ve been here 8 years and he predated me.
He was more than just an instructor, he was someone who would take the time to answer any question and help with any project, whether it was woodworking or laser. I’ve taken MANY classes with him over the years.
Every time I saw him, we would have a quick chat to catch up. He was never too busy to give tips, advice, or suggestions… sometimes even when you didn’t ask.
It’s hard to imagine the space without him. He will be sorely missed.
Sonya
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Matt, I like the idea however let’s instead of spray paint let’s vacuum bag a layer of maple over top of walnut then Vcarve that into it, cut it on the multicam. Because you and him spent som much time repairing the machine
We should make 3 of them one for each entrance into the woodshop
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I don’t like sweets. Cookies and donuts aren’t my cup of tea.
Except the ones Burt offered me. Those always tasted pretty damn good.
-martin
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Burt joked that due to my underemployment in the film business, I was really a full-time woodshop teacher at this point. He was the one who encouraged me to teach the woodshop basics course—it never would have occurred to me otherwise. He taught me so much, and yet there was so much more I wanted to learn! I left town for a month long job the very day he passed. How’s that for irony? I’m absolutely gutted. Will there be a memorial service of some sort?
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I have maple and walnut wood that I could give to help support this project.
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I have plenty of Gold, Silver, Copper, Silver/Copper swirled leaf would I could add into the engravings or give for someone to do so.
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Exotic woods are no problem. We can get pretty much anything but Pink Ivory, that’s hard to come by.
But we’ve got CNC. The sign could have Burt’s picture on it. And my wife just suggested “Burt’s Place”.
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My heart is broken from Burt’s passing. Burt was my favorite buddy over the last few years since I joined the 'Space and has been more of a mentor and father-figure than my own ever was.
He would sit next to me when I would come in and laser a project, and we would chat about the world and the MS, and somehow he always tied everything back into woodworking. Burt was all about the details, and we saw the world the same way in that aspect. He was not a “move fast and break things” kinda guy, but someone who paid attention to people, details in woodworking, and always, always “measured twice and cut once.”
I have so many memories of Burt, but I’ll always remember the time a few years ago, when he had been a little stressed out about something, and I was listening to him. I was just learning how to use the lasers and decided to laser a bunch of “f*cks” out and put them in a mason jar. I gave it to him as a little gift and told him to give them out sparingly. I’d never seen him laugh so hard and be so delighted.
When I was first beginning my journey at the MS, I was really tired late one night and wasn’t using my hand router as I should have been and cut through a custom pocket door my husband and I had just spent days working on. In tears, I carried the door into the computer lab, and Burt was there. I asked him if he thought it could be fixed. He hugged me and said, “Come on, I’ll give you some ideas on how to fix this.” He dropped what he was working on to share his knowledge.
I talked to Burt the morning before he passed. He had always wanted me to get more involved in the MS and teach, or help with the redesign area of the lasers. I chatted with him that morning and told him I felt like I finally had the confidence and time to start teaching. His last words to me were that he was so happy I wanted to do that and become more involved.
From the “well, why’re you gonna do it like that?” questions to the encouragement to try new things in the woodshop to the precision in his cabinet classes, I will miss Burt dearly. There was never a single time I came into the MS and didn’t look for Burt to have a chat before starting on a project for the day.
I would love to see a memorial plaque in the woodshop for Burt. His legacy will live on in so many people who continue to make, build, and share from his knowledge. May he rest in peace.
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A real loss to the community as a whole. I haven’t been a part of DMS for too terribly long, but Burt was always happy to help out where he could and answer any questions I had. He had a wonderful welcoming presence that will be sorely missed. His shoes will be mighty hard to fill, that’s for sure.
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Rest in peace Burt. I’m very new to woodworking and haven’t spent much time on that side of the building lately, but Burt was always so friendly and helpful. He was extremely welcoming and gave me a lot of encouragement on getting started. He will be missed.
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Sad news.
I just took the router class with him teaching on the 13th. He was always helpful and patient.
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I’m so heartbroken to hear this news. He was always so
Encouraging and open to seeing whatever was the latest project I was working on. He will be truly missed. May his memory be a blessing to all those who knew him.
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The first time I met Burt was probably a few years ago by laser. Up until recently I had just kind of used the space whenever I was working on random projects (show up around 10pm, do my cutting, get out kind of thing).
Burt was the first person to really start talking to me, and we got to talk about various things like my projects, and he gave me some different tips and techniques to use for the laser. He even inspired me to try out new methods, leading me to learn the print and cut method and even combine UV printing with laser cutting. He was also excited and supportive of my recent plan to start teaching classes.
I’m going to miss him.
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I am heartbroken to hear this news. I just recently got to know Burt through a woodworking class and he was a lovely person. Sending love and prayers to his family and friends.
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Any news on a memorial service?
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I heard the news a few days ago and am still shaken by it all. Burt was extremely personable, thoughtful, a master of his craft and passionate about DMS and its members. He gave of himself constantly, never asking for anything in return. He met people where they were, from complete novice to deeply competent, but he never talked down or belittled anyone for their skills.
I wish I had known him more - his background, his story. DMS will not be the same without him. I only hope I can share the same kindness and wisdom with other members that Burt used when he welcomed everyone.
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Dave…I took a couple laser classes from Burt and spoke to him every time I was in the Space. I asked him once if he ever went home…he seemed to always be there. What a great, inspirational man. I saw him and spoke with him at the board meeting. I certainly didn’t think that would be goodby. I wish I could have known him as well as you guys did. He kept telling me I need to start teaching. I guess I’ll peruse that in his honor. I’m going to miss him a lot.
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Greetings. I’m not a member of DMS, but I just came across this page in search of anything about my dear old friend Britton. He only dove into projects that he was truly passionate about and teaching via DMS was certainly one of them. Just know that he would have been so touched to know that he had lasting impressions and a legacy of cherished memories from all of you. Britton was personally a simple man in regards to material things, but he was very generous and rich with knowledge and life experience. Thank you all for your kind words and generosity.
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