Burton Duerr Brubaker II

Burton (Burt) Brubaker, a long-time resident of Oak Ridge, TN and a member of First United Methodist Church, passed away on December 19th, 2022 while visiting his family in Austin, TX. Born in 1945 in Rochester, PA., he graduated from Monaca High School, Monaca, PA, earned a BS degree in Accounting from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA., in 1973 and his MBA from Bristol University, Bristol, TN, in 1990.

He also served in the United States Air Force as a Sergeant, stationed for a year at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand as a jet fuel specialist during the Vietnam conflict. After graduating from Geneva College, he secured an accounting position with the Koppers Company, Pittsburgh, PA. In 1985, he was transferred to Oak Ridge, TN as Controller for its Natural Resources Division. When his division of Koppers was sold, Burt secured a position with SEG (Scientific Ecology Group) under which he received several quality awards. Burt finished his career as a Finance Manager for Isotek Systems, a subsidiary of Energy Solutions. In addition, he was a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Rochester, PA, the Scottish Right Masonic Lodge, New Castle, PA., and the Kerbela Shrine in Knoxville, TN.

While residing in PA, he was ordained as a Deacon in the North Branch United Presbyterian Church. After joining the Oak Ridge First United Methodist Church in 1990, he served on the Building and Grounds Committee, worked on the Food for Kids program, and volunteered for the local Anderson County Relay for Life.

Burt, and his beloved wife and best friend Elaine of 53 years, loved travelling both in the US and abroad, some of which was done over the years with their “movie group” of dear friends. In addition, he loved sports, avidly following the Oak Ridge High School Wildcat football and basketball teams, his beloved Steelers, Pirates, and Penguin teams, and the Tennessee Vols. Other favorite hobbies included photography of riverboats on the Ohio River and at family occasions, playing in the Master’s Division of Oak Ridge softball teams, archaeology, reading about the Civil War, and collecting coins and stamps.

Burt was a very caring person who would do anything for anyone, always adhering to the motto on his father’s insurance business cards: “It’s so nice to be nice.” Further, his grandsons were the light of his life, and he enjoyed spending time with them in Texas and California. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him due to his wonderful sense of humor and giving nature.

Burt was preceded in death by his father Burton D. Brubaker and his mother Cora E. Brubaker, both of Monaca, PA. He is survived by wife Elaine M. Brubaker of Oak Ridge, son Eric B. Brubaker, wife Melissa, and grandsons Nolan and Reed of Austin, TX., sister Joanne Scott and husband “Scotty,” of Beaver Falls, PA., sister Gretchen Harich and husband Ron of Monaca, PA., sisters-in-law Adrienne (Rick) Yohe of Temple, TX. and Janine Watson of Monaca, PA., brother-in-law Richard (Elaine) Alam of New Brighton, PA. and numerous nieces and nephews in PA & TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com where pictures of Burt throughout the years will be displayed. Internment of ashes will occur at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens.