Robert Geoffrey Burt (“Bob”), 55, cartwheeled out of this realm in the early morning of Nov. 8th 2025, following a quick battle with colon cancer. The second of five kids born to John F. Burt Jr. (“Jack”) and Roberta (“Bert”), he spent his youth making as much trouble for his parents as possible.
Bob was one of those annoying people who was naturally good at a wide variety of things. On Sundays in the early 80s, his dad would take him to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where he learned how to juggle pins while riding a unicycle from the circus performers there. He had a gift for athletics, music, and art. He was a brilliant lyricist and multi-instrumentalist and had, in his own estimation, the best taste in music.
After his former physics teacher at the Old Saybrook High School told him he was his “greatest disappointment,” Bob switched his college major from engineering and graduated from UCONN
with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He went on to become a consultant, a comic strip artist, a jazz guitarist, an advertising copywriter, a novelist, and a highly opinionated conversationalist.
Of all the things at which Bob excelled, he enjoyed making people laugh the most. His hand drawn cards were thoughtful, ridiculous, and highly cherished by recipients. He was a very strong advocate for the people he loved and hated to see anyone in pain. Animals immediately gravitated to him. He wanted to save them all. He was sensitive, intuitive, and often, a real pain in the ass.
He’d want anyone reading this to know that he won a Connecticut short story contest one time in high school, one of his college philosophy papers is on permanent file in the library at UCONN, he co-wrote one of the best books on options trading, and he got to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. He lived a great life, full of travels and stories. He stood out and will likely be remembered by everyone who ever met him.
Bob died listening to Magical Mystery Tour and knowing that he was loved. His final words were almost, “Oh God, I hope those aren’t my last words,” but were thankfully, “I was just
dreaming.” Shortly later, as though speaking to someone only he could see, he said, “okay.”
He is survived by his four siblings: John (Kelly), Laurie Pita (Jorge), Mikey (Denise), and Liz, his cat Rusty, a niece and many nephews, and a whole slew of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He’d also want to add one last “Go Birds.”
In the time following his diagnosis, Bob was under the care of Compassus home hospice. He developed close relationships with the nurses who cared for him and looked forward to their visits. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Compassus Living Foundation, which covers the cost of care for those who need it. Everyone deserves to be loved and cared for in their final days, regardless of their ability to pay.
Compassuslivingfoundation.org
In addition, the family would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone reading this to prioritize your health and make sure that you schedule regular exams to screen for cancer. You’re worth it!
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Ray Linehan
Dear Burt Family,
Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences on Bob’s passing. I was truly saddened to hear this news. As an alumnus of the Biosystems Family, I will always fondly remember “Bobbo Picasso” and his memorable act as “Waterbug Boy” (a long but amusing story). Though I knew Bob casually as a teenager, our friendship truly blossomed when he selected me as his assistant for the ISO Project over 30 years ago. I especially cherish the memory of him convincing me to join him at the Cuckoo’s Nest in Old Saybrook one Christmas season, where he played “Blue Christmas” on his guitar and coaxed me into singing it in my best Elvis voice. That experience will always bring a smile to my face. I wish you all peace, and hope you find comfort in the fact that while he is no longer physically with us, the wonderful memories he created will forever give us reasons to smile.
Liz Burt
I almost referenced Bobbo Picasso!! He also started a fictitious rap group with Laurie’s boys, in which his name was the Notorious B.O.B., which I feel is on point for him. Hahahahaha @ Waterbug Boy!! That’s an oldie!
Did you ever see him play the nose-a-phone? I got him to do it a couple of weeks ago and he still could!! Hahaha
He loved both Elvis and the Cuckoo’s Nest, so I’m sure that was a fond memory of his, too. Thanks for sharing it!!
Laura Pita
I need to chime in: L’il Trash Bin (Josh) would Iike me to correct the record. Bobbo was Oversized B.O.B. Their rhinestone sunglasses were quite the spectacles.
Also WATERBUG BOY!!! hahahahahaha. I had forgotten about that.
Phil House (Ice Cream)
Okay, if you are bringing up RAP names, I was Ice Cream, and Bob was Cool Whip. Never heard of the Notorious B.O.B. LOL
Ben Kerr
My earliest memory of Bob was when he showed up at Dreager’s trails behind the old saybrook post office. After arriving he proceeded to drop in on the empty river bed and came up the other side and cleared five tires (which at the time was quite a feat!). He was riding a Puch BMX which I had never seen and asked about. We became friends on the spot.
Bob’s humor, and endless talents always blew me away, I will miss him.
My sincere condolences to the Burt family.
Kevin Didsbury
My sincere condolences to the Burt family. May he fly high with the angels. 🙏💐
Joanne Goduti
I am verry sadden with Bob s passing. We have lost an amazing, special sole.
Joanne Goduti
I am very sadden with Bob’s passing. We have lost an amazing, special sole.
Jeffrey Rodo
Spaceman Spliff will live on forever.
Mallori E
I do not know your family personally but I wanted to offer my sincere condolences for your loss. The Bible can be a great source of comfort during times of grief. God promises at Revelation 21:3,4 that soon, death and sorrow will be done away with. He yearns to make this promise into a reality. And very soon, we all have the opportunity to be reunited with our dead loved ones, right here on Earth. May these words prove to bring you comfort at this time.
Kyle Moseley
I was fortunate to have met Bob through his college friend, Vin Karp. Being both musicians we had fun, lively debates that we referenced through years. I had sent him a Neil Diamond lyric message about a month ago that he loved for it’s stupidity and I misqouted…he responded, “NOT even the chair, Wisenheimer!” Perfect Bob.
Best wishes to Burt Family!