Dave Burton (BEB)

I'm sorry to say that Dave Burton, BEB as many of you will know him, passed away yesterday after his long illness. He was 62.

Given 12 months to live some 3 years ago, Dave defied the odds and showed incredible determination over this time, never letting his life be defined by his illness, living life to the full, maintaining his forum involvement, flying often and all with amazing good humour. 

Over the years he became a forum moderator but one of the main contributors here too, helping many people, or injecting a good dose of common sense and calm logic when needed. Either that or, as a professor of engineering, advice based on sound knowledge and experience.

Dave was a clever guy but one of the kindest I've met. Not only did he play a huge role in helping to steer this forum but was always there when technical advice was needed in relation to RCM&E magazine, for which he also wrote many popular articles.

He'll be hugely missed and I know forum members will join me in sending sincerest condolences to Julie, Owen and Laura.

Edited By David Ashby - Moderator on 31/12/2018 19:06:13

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David that is really sad news. I didn't know BEB personally but always found his many forum posts of great value. I will miss his forum involvement and join you in sending condolences to his family.

My sincere condolences to Daves' family. Fly to infinity and beyond BEB.

Dave was something just a little bit special, a fellow club member for many years and of course his association with RCM&E magazine and this forum, he was a friend that I will miss greatly. Our thoughts our with his family. Lindsay

I'm truly saddened - this was the news I've been dreading. I had many conversations both through the forum and by PM with Dave - always with great respect for his deep knowledge and sensible viewpoints. My biggest regret is never meeting him in person.

Dave, rest in peace and know you will be missed by all your friends on this forum.

David will be greatly missed by the forum members, as I'm sure he will be missed by those who knew and worked with him. My condolences to David's family and friends.

Dave, my friend, my club mate, my instructor, my mentor.

R.I.P.

Very sorry to hear the news.

Very sorry to hear the news.

I only met him once, but he made me feel very welcome.

I shall miss him dearly.

Sincerest condolences to his family

Tony B

Very sorry to hear that. I'd hoped to meet him at the recent Ashbourne Scale day but he messaged me that he was too ill to attend. I'll always be sorry I didn't get the opportunity because I felt we had many things in common.

Condolences to his family and to his many personal friends and club-mates.

Geoff

what a terrible shame, I knew he wasn't well.l met Dave at one of the first off RCME/green acres meetings and what a nice lad he was. He and I kept in touch via the forum after that. What can I say other than it was a pleasure meeting and knowing him and my condolences go out to his family...RIP Dave.....fond memories...a great loss ..

ken anderson...ne..1..Dave Burton dept.

Unfortunately I never met him, but corresponded via the forum on various things. What a helpful, knowledgable and thoughtful man. I will really miss his contributions here.

A great loss. I enjoyed arguing with BEB. Not often winning.

Very sorry to hear of the sad news, I enjoyed to see the banter that went on between Dave and you guys.

RIP BEB(Dave).

Lucky enough to meet Dave a few times, and get to know him via the forum and PMs a little. Easy man to like and respect, made a big impression on me, very sad news indeed.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Much to my regret, I only met Dave in person on a couple of occasions, at Greenacres, although we've spent many hours chatting on Skype in the mods' backroom over the past few years. His down-to-earth, plain-speaking Liverpudlian (Cheshire?) background very much belied his brilliance as an academic and engineer. He decided to retire early from his university position to enjoy the remainder of his time and, it would seem that he was a hard, nay almost impossible, act to replace.

To add to that, his attitude once he'd learned the prognosis was to accept it and carry on living through fortnightly chemo sessions with sheer bloody-mindedness, willpower and determination. So much so that he defied all the medical predictions and he seemed to just carry on, way beyond his expected time, much to their amazement. During that time he continued his aeromodelling with an enthusiam which would put many to shame and he took to cycling regularly to maintain his fitness, even partaking in charity rides for the benefit of others.

He wasn't super-human and he would have been the first to agree but his courage during this time has been both daunting and inspiring. His loss will be felt most keenly by his family and close friends, of course, but this evening I am deeply saddened by the loss of a great character and, I hope, good friend.

RIP, Dave

Pete