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October 10, 2011
In Memory of Tom Burr
I am sad to pass along news of the death of Tom Burr, who loved nature in general and the Celery Farm in particular.
Those who knew Tom will miss his friendship, his keen sense of humor, and his vast knowledge of plants and bugs and biology (he did, after all, teach biology for 41 years).
Tom was a leader on several nature walks in the Celery Farm, in large part because he enjoyed sharing his affection for all things natural. Tom especially loved to lead the annual butterfly walk (in his wonderfully unassuming way).
Tom kept a wonderful nature blog, BIOS & LOGOS, that reflected his personality and beliefs (link is here).
Tom was also a crackerjack nature photographer, with a great eye and a macro lens on his digital camera. He contributed yearly to the Celery Farm calendar. Many of his photos can be seen on the Fyke Nature Association website. The link is here.
He also wrote and photographed several nature books — books that reflected his abiding love of a world that most people never bother to notice. (Go to the link to Tom's blog and scroll to the bottom.)
Tom also contributed several photos and comments to this blog — and bailed me out many times with the Monday Morning Mystery. The guy flat-out knew his stuff.
One of my favorite Tom memories was from 2009 when we were on one of his guided walks he was, in the butterfly garden.
From out of nowhere, a Red Admiral alighted on his shirt sleeve, and a smile of joy lighted up Tom's face.
I always thought everybody loved Tom, including the butterflies, and that was the clincher.
Tom died last night after along illness.
He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
5 comments
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I am very sad to hear of Tom’s passing. I have not seen Tom since 2005 or so when I moved up to Connecticut. We spent many many hours together at the Celery Farm trying to capture its beauty with our cameras. His knowledge about the nature around us was understated and vast. A great person to be around. He will be missed.
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Thank you, Mr. Burr, for being such a wonderful biology teacher and warm human being. I am so sorry that I did not get back in touch with you years ago. I love the Celery farm and my mom gave me ‘In the Presence of Nature.’ a few years’ back. I still did not realize how much of an influence you were on my life,love of botany, wildlife, science, and ecosystems until now. It is so tempting to be full of regret and sorrow that I did not reconnect earlier and properly show my gratitude. But I realise that will do no good for anyone or anything. I will do my best to continue to pass on the importance of wildlife and preservation of nature, and that the Creator is behind it all. Thank you and may you Rest in Peace. ~Leah M Root (Bosworth), RHS 1989
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I have enjoyed Tom’s comments on this blog and thoroughly enjoyed his sense of humor. His photographs were also a wonderful addition. I wish I had met him and thanked him for the many smiles he brought to my face.
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I’m very sorry to hear this news. And saddened as well. He made continuing and valuable contributions to the community that loves the Celery Farm, as he surely did. Thanks for this moving tribute to a true gentleman, a person with a biologist’s love and understanding of detail, and a theologian’s focus on the big picture.
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I am so sad to hear this. What a fine gentle man and so bright. He loved sharing his gifts and was very encouraging, always. He was a man of faith, as well. My first time ever at the Celery Farm with my little camera I met ‘The Man’ Tom Burr for the 1st time. I was so self conscious about my little camera especially when I saw his on Pirie Platform. Don’t be silly he said, that is a great camera. It isn’t the size of the camera it is what you do with it. He is missed.
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5 comments
Matt Reilly
I am very sad to hear of Tom’s passing. I have not seen Tom since 2005 or so when I moved up to Connecticut. We spent many many hours together at the Celery Farm trying to capture its beauty with our cameras. His knowledge about the nature around us was understated and vast. A great person to be around. He will be missed.
Leah Root
Thank you, Mr. Burr, for being such a wonderful biology teacher and warm human being. I am so sorry that I did not get back in touch with you years ago. I love the Celery farm and my mom gave me ‘In the Presence of Nature.’ a few years’ back. I still did not realize how much of an influence you were on my life,love of botany, wildlife, science, and ecosystems until now. It is so tempting to be full of regret and sorrow that I did not reconnect earlier and properly show my gratitude. But I realise that will do no good for anyone or anything. I will do my best to continue to pass on the importance of wildlife and preservation of nature, and that the Creator is behind it all. Thank you and may you Rest in Peace. ~Leah M Root (Bosworth), RHS 1989
Pat
I have enjoyed Tom’s comments on this blog and thoroughly enjoyed his sense of humor. His photographs were also a wonderful addition. I wish I had met him and thanked him for the many smiles he brought to my face.
John Workman
I’m very sorry to hear this news. And saddened as well. He made continuing and valuable contributions to the community that loves the Celery Farm, as he surely did. Thanks for this moving tribute to a true gentleman, a person with a biologist’s love and understanding of detail, and a theologian’s focus on the big picture.
sally teschon
I am so sad to hear this. What a fine gentle man and so bright. He loved sharing his gifts and was very encouraging, always. He was a man of faith, as well. My first time ever at the Celery Farm with my little camera I met ‘The Man’ Tom Burr for the 1st time. I was so self conscious about my little camera especially when I saw his on Pirie Platform. Don’t be silly he said, that is a great camera. It isn’t the size of the camera it is what you do with it. He is missed.