January 13, 2020
Burt, Kenneth H.
Born in London England to Irene Franks and Eric Henry Burt, Ken Burt moved to America in 1945 at the age of 13. After settling in Middleburg Virginia with his mother and step-father, Col. Paul Llewellyn. Ken became a student at St. Paul’s School in Concord New Hampshire, where he managed the ice hockey team, acted in theater productions, and originated the inter-scholastic soccer team. From St. Paul’s Ken went to Yale. An English major, cross-country runner and lightweight crew team coxswain, Ken met the love of his life, Sally Riley Robinson on a blind date at Vassar in 1952, graduating from Yale in 1953. Ken and Sally were married in 1955 and lived in Cleveland Ohio where their two children, Daphne and Eric, were born. The family moved to Dedham, Massachusetts, when Ken was hired by First National Bank of Boston in 1960. After a brief sojourn in Marion Massachusetts, Ken and Sally returned to Dedham and Ken retired from the bank as Sr. Vice President and Assistant to the CEO. In 2010 they moved to Fox Hill Village, where they enjoyed the company of many friends. Ken joyfully served his church, his alma maters, and the Dedham Historical Society. His greatest pleasure was serving as reader and Lay Eucharistic Minister at St. Paul’s Church in Dedham. Ken considered St. Paul’s School his first home in this country, maintained close connections with his class, and was Form Agent and Director for St. Paul’s School Alumni Fund and a member of the John Hargate Society. Cheerfully shining as a “blue light in the midst of a sea of crimson,” Ken served Yale as alumni interviewer, member of the Board of Governors of the Association of Yale Alumni, class representative for the Alumni Fund, President of the Yale Club of Boston, and a faithful presence at Yale-Harvard football games. From 1994-2003, Ken was treasurer of the Dedham Historical Society, and also volunteered as financial advisor to several seniors in the area. Ken and Sally shared interests in gardening, golf, music, and travel. Ken enjoyed golfing at Kittansett in Marion, and continued to play competitively and informally until his late 70s, even scoring a Hole in One on the 5th hole of the Dedham Country and Polo Club. He and Sally enjoyed nearly annual trips to Italy, took cruises throughout the Mediterranean, and were grateful to be able to visit the Holy Land and Egypt. Ken was a proud grandfather and thrilled to be able to watch his three grandchildren, Betsy, Brooks and Emily grow up into young adulthood. Ken is deeply mourned by his wife Sally, children Daphne and Eric, grandchildren Betsy, Brooks and Emily, and family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dedham on Saturday, February 8 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul’s Church or the Dedham Historical Society.