Dr. Eddie Clyde Burt

Dr. Eddie Clyde Burt, 79, of Hawks Ridge Rd., Colbert, GA husband of Mary Angela Grimes Burt passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.

Dr. Burt was born September 23, 1937 in Oglethorpe County, GA to Marvin A. Burt, Sr. and Hazel Lance Burt. He was a member of Glade United Methodist Church.

Dr. Burt received his Ph.D. from the Biosystems Engineering Department at Auburn University in 1973. Burt devoted his career to improving our understanding of the interaction between machines and the soil. He worked as a Research Engineer with the USDA his entire career, which spanned 38 years.

The major part of his career was spent at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn AL where he served as Research Engineer and Research Leader. Here, he studied the fundamental behaviors of traction and soil compaction. His research led to new theories on the mechanics of wheels operating on soil and the effects of dynamic load and inflation pressure on the performance of off-highway vehicle tires.

He authored over 150 publications during his career and provided leadership to numerous technical and professional organizations. In July of 2001, he was named a Fellow in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. An international authority on off-road traction, soil compaction and machine systems research, Burt served as an affiliate professor in the Biosystems Engineering department at Auburn University and was a member of the graduate faculty. In 2008, he was named outstanding alumnus of the department.

He is survived by his wife: Mary Angela Grimes Burt; son and daughter-in-law: Kevin and Lynn Burt of Athens, GA; son-in-law: Robert Pate of Venice, FL; sisters-in-law: Barbara and Johnny Patton and Doris Burt all of Crawford, GA; and brother-in-law: J.T. Appling of Carlton, GA; grandchildren and their spouses: Lindsey and Josh Warren, Leah and Michael Hartman; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter: Delaine Burt Pate; brothers: Jim Burt and Marvin A. Burt, Jr.; sisters: Mary Helen Appling and Elizabeth Burt.

Memorial services to celebrate his life will be held 2PM, Tuesday, July 25 at Glade United Methodist Church with Rev. Doug Bower officiating. Private inurnment will follow in Glade United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1-2PM just before the service at Glade United Methodist Church.

The family has requested to omit flowers and make memorials in his memory to Glade United Methodist Church, 1735 Lexington-Carlton Rd., Carlton, GA 30627.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is in charge of the arrangements for Dr. Eddie Clyde Burt.