Having received Mr. and Mrs. Gerber's endowed scholarship at James Madison College, I was fortunate enough to correspond with Burton this past fall while I was studying abroad in Ecuador. Burton's emails, filled with sage wisdom and advice, gave me much comfort as I navigated missing home, adjusting to such a different place and life, navigating language barriers. Knowing that he had experienced many of my struggles (along with many more) fostered a relationship built on mutual understanding. In his last email to me, Burton offered understanding and advice about feeling homesick and then pushed me to consider (1) how I could stretch my language learning and (2) how my learning experience and fellow students in Ecuador was different than at Michigan State. This emulates the type of person Burton was: someone with a great capacity to feel and empathize with others while also pushing them to grow. I feel very privileged to have met and known Burton and to have been a gracious recipient of the advice and knowledge which he so freely gave. Rest in Peace.

Mr. Gerber was one of the best bosses I ever had.  Brilliant, kind, and resourceful.  The best lesson he ever taught me was "If you don't know the answer to a question, say so.  Then go find the answer."  I'll always remember his love of wolves and brownies - and his "word of the day" - always a reason to stop by his office.

Burton Gerber was an extraordinary man and a major influence in my life. There were so many facets to Burton – from professional to personal – each one of them meaningful and distinguished.

I came to know Burton as a Michigan State University Junior, after becoming an early recipient of his and Rosalie’s endowed scholarship. 

He quickly became a mentor and friend. We spent our first time together during a senior year internship I did in Washington – and even more when I moved to DC for two years post graduate school. 

Gerber was a true American patriot and front line cold warrior, a deeply devoted husband, and a faith-driven humanitarian. 

His “No Dancing” mantra will always stick with me with a chuckle. 

Burton was a deeply patriotic man, but it wasn’t blind – his patriotism was nuanced. He loved America, while understanding our imperfections. 

From my conversations with Gerber, he believed in the promise of America – guided by our democratic and constitutional system. He believed that very system enabled Americans to right our wrongs and continue our path to become a more perfect union. 

This ultimately led him to become one of America’s great heroes in the espionage front that dominated that political and military conflict. I’ve seen a number of assessments crediting Burton’s work to America’s triumph in the Cold War and fall of the Soviet empire. 

If that had been Gerber’s only namesake, it would be enough. But Burton believed in and did so much more. 

I've included a full remembrance here, including some elaboration on the "No Dancing" (copy and paste URL): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nuVCBnYD_oFLkfWXX7IPq81QvfQhODoKVwubXqGsIFM/edit?usp=sharing                                       

Thanks so much for everything Burton!

Burton was a brilliant, kind and thoughtful man and a very dear family friend.  He and my dad were fraternity brothers at Michigan State, and his visits to Chicago from D.C. were always special.  A rare person, and one I will miss greatly.

I first met Burton 25 years ago when I moved to the D.C. area after leaving the Air Force. From the very beginning, Burton was a great friend and mentor. For several years, we had a standing arrangement: I would drive him to Ravens games, and in return, I’d get a free ticket—and, most importantly, the company of a great buddy to enjoy the game. Our conversations during those drives were always enriching, covering topics like our Catholic faith, intelligence, politics, and world events.

I also cherished attending his Christmas parties and running into him at events around D.C. Burton was a remarkable American—a truly exceptional person.

Today, I was honored to attend the Mass in his memory. 

We now have the watch, Burton. You can rest easy, my friend. 

May God bless your soul and keep your memory alive.

Robert J. Alberts

To the Gerber Family,

I offer my condolences and hope that, in time, healing will occur.  I knew Burton through the Breakfast Group that I used to attend in DC and Arlington, VA.  He was a core part of the group and will be sorely missed amongst our friends.  Till we meet again, Burton.

CW

I was so sorry to learn of Burton's passing.  He was truly a great Spartan but, more importantly, a great American.  I met Burton through our service together on the James Madison College at MSU's Board of Visitors.  He was everything others have stated on these pages and more.  He was a wonderful storyteller.  His sharp and inquisitive mind kept every conversation fresh and possibly unending.  I will also remember Burton for his love of baseball and as a man with a deep Catholic faith.  I am sorry I will be unable to attend his Funeral Mass to pay my respects as he most definitely deserves.  May God give rest to Burton's noble soul.

A true American patriot, a proud Spartan, and a loyal supporter.  Mr. Gerber will be missed by all of us associated with the Michigan State Baseball program.  Rest in Peace and thank you for your service!

There are few words I can say beyond what has already been said in the well deserved encomiums to Burton and his extraordinary life,

 I knew Burton most of my working adult life - at CIA and throughout my time in the national security community. 

 Burton was eternally curious, always engaging, and very  supportive of younger people - like myself -- in this not always friendly town. 

 Rest in peace,  friend.  Well done.

God bless Mr. Gerber, and his fine family. Mr. Gerber is a patriot and we're all very thankful for his life of service to our country. We will light a candle at our Church for Mr. Gerber.

Mr Gerber is a true hero. I didn’t know him but after reading his obituary,  I wish I had. What a career. People like him are few. Thank you to his family for sharing him with the USA.

I am grateful to have met Burton during my time as a student at Michigan State University. He came in yearly to speak to the social science scholars program and gave us thoughtful advice and insights that only a man like him would be able to offer. After his most recent talk to our program, I was fortunate to speak with him the next day and bond over our love for Michigan State and Washington, D.C. among other things. Being able to learn from and spend time with Burton was incredibly special -- I will miss him dearly.

I came to know Burton Gerber as an alumnus of Michigan State University who generously supported a small academic program which I run and visited regularly to talk to my current students (see photo). For a few reasons I will always feel it a privilege to have been able to spend time in his presence. First, because of the faultless professionalism with which he conducted some of the most important clandestine operations in modern American history: Burton was a model CIA officer who combined a deep love for his country with an admirable concern for the welfare of his informants. Second, Burton had a mind as sharp as any I have encountered. It’s not only that he was profoundly informed on history, politics, foreign policy, and moral philosophy, but one also quickly grasped the exceptional mental acuity that helped make him effective in his CIA roles. By way of example, Burton would stagger my students by asking for their name and some personal information as they entered the seminar room and then, as much as two hours later, retrieve it all in order to ask them a pertinent question (I came to relish seeing their expressions of shocked awe!). Third, Burton had an abundance of the wisdom that politicians and pundits often lack; he always understood the true state of international affairs, not least in telling my students every fall that ‘Russia is the real existential threat to America’. Fourth, Burton could hold court in the finest possible way: fascinating and exacting, he held my students’ attention for sometimes three hours as they drank in the opportunity to learn from a person with the stature of greatness.  Finally, Burton was without pretension. Proud of his Midwest roots and his education at a Land Grant university, Burton cherished the best of values: loyalty to a just cause, ethics of freedom and decency, conscientiousness in one’s professional life, and the imperative to read widely and deeply. My students and I will long remember him.

I submit this comment as Burton's  very good, and old friend for 85 years.  We grew up together in Upper Arlington, Ohio starting in the third grade.  I knew his Father and Mother, and his older brother Don was a classmate at Upper Arlington of my brother, Donn.
Following high school we were separated until his career in the CIA ended and he was able to reestablish his friendships from earlier days.
Early in his post CIA days we were able to reestablish our friendship and had numerous and very enjoyable personal visits.  He also made a much enjoyed and appreciated effort to reestablish many friendships he had had prior to his remarkable CIA career.  I was one.  He was an interesting, interested, generous and loyal friend whose friendship I was hoping to enjoy for a few more years.

Burton served as an exceptional mentor and became a dear friend as we both aged.  His intellect and spy tradecraft mastery were unsurpassed.  His devotion to America was deep and enduring.  His faith was immutable.   As I joined him at Georgetown University, he continued to mentor me on being a professor.  I will miss you Burton.  Keep the upper room warm for me.

Burton was a mentor, boss and colleague during some stormy times and we talked often, sometimes in crisis mode but sometimes in reflexion.  I learned much from him and found him always at work no matter what he was actually doing at the moment--his mind was on the job.   And it was challenging, of course, with successes and failures that always affected his mood--but still never altered his overall outlook.  His job was never easy and like any frontline job there are those who had differing views and opinions but I think Burton was overall a steady hand on a turbulent sea not of his making and for that we are all indebted to his service for this country.

Burton was a great man, mentor, and public servant.  I first met him in the summer of 2010 when I took his class on intelligence at Georgetown. The combination of his extensive experience and Socratic method was captivating. He went above and beyond the classroom to provide continued mentorship as my career progressed, and we would get together about once a month to discuss policy, politics, and faith. The above picture is from my Catholic Confirmation in 2015. Burton was my sponsor. I figured if you need someone to serve as you spiritual mentor, why not ask the absolute best in the business. He didn't hesitate, and I feel blessed that he was able to meet my parents as part of the process. His was the rarest combination of integrity, creativity, and love of country. What a life he lived and what a "splendid day" it must be in Heaven to welcome the great Burton Gerber.

I only came to know Burton when I joined the International Spy Museum team in 2018.  I came to appreciate Burton's wisdom and his steadfast love for the Nation.  

The Spy Museum staff who knew and worked with Burton are deeply saddened because he helped the Museum early on and left his positive mark in our formative years.  Burton will be missed.

The last correspondence I had with Burton was a simple prayer I sent him not too long ago.  

May Burton's memory be eternal.

With respect, Chris Costa

OBITUARY

Burton Lee Gerber

19 July, 1933 – 2 January, 2025

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

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