Burt Dupree, a long time member, has died at the local VA Hospital where he was a resident for many years.
We remember him for his clever cartoons, widely published, comments dashed off at any gathering. He also sculpted, painted, took prize winning photographs and was a superb raconteur.
Born in Texas, he worked in the oil fields becoming part owner of a small plane at 18. After majoring in design engineering he joined the Army Corps of Engineers& represented the US in the Geodesic Survey of the Western Hemisphere. In Vietnam he served as Aviation Liaison to the 25th Division ARVN. After traumatic years in Vietnam he went on to fly for Northwest Airlines for 27 years.
One of his eleven grandchildren gives an added perspective. “ I love to be with Grandpa. His face looks like a 10 year old, but he is old. He has blue eyes. He is a very good pilot. He teaches me fun things and I love him.” He is survived by his wife Sabra Dupree and many children and grandchildren.
Excerpted by Sena Havasy from a Member of the Month interview in the newsletter by Bill Jacobsen.
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Burton Dupree – 1932-1913
Burt was a member of the Humanist Community in Silicon Valley for many years, having shared our world view of the scientific method and the love of humanity.
He was just a year older than I, born in 1932 in the depression and pre- war years. Before he came to us he grew and flourished in the evolving times, participating in the world of aviation and World War Two in ways that you will hear about from speakers who knew him then.
When we met him he was a smart and kindly man, slightly cynical but never abrasive. He had a twinkle and a thoughtful, witty point of view. He looked at one as though he approved and found that what you had to say was interesting. He enjoyed our monthly movie and other groups, although attending sporadically, his many other interests vying for his time.
He had a habit of whipping off clever cartoons about whatever was happening around him and giving them freely to the subject. I treasure one I keep with my Xmas ornaments commenting, on my habit of leaving my holiday tree up when most people had long since stored everything away.
I brought a collection of his Darwin Day cartoons from our annual Darwin Day lecture series where we had such luminaries as Donald Johansson and Richard Dawkins.
We enjoyed potlucks at his wooded home by a stream. He would scamper down the steep bank to comment on some feature. He grew beautiful plants
It has been quite a few years since Burt was well enough to attend our activities but we old timers will never forget and warmly remember the cheerful, thoughtful, and slightly sardonic presence he was in our lives.
Sena Havasy
Humanist Community 2013