Brian Burt

BREWER - Brian Douglas Burt, 67, departed his earthly life and arrived peacefully in the arms of Jesus on January 14th, 2026- surrounded by his loving family- after an acute illness resulting from his battle with Inclusion Body Myositis. He was born on August 15th, 1958, to Frank A. and Julia "Jewel" J. (VanderSchuur) Burt in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the youngest of their five children.

He grew up in Wyoming, Michigan, graduated from Wyoming Park High School in 1976, and went on to complete the Aviation Mechanics program at Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music, where he met his beautiful brown-eyed Debby (Deborah Rice), whom he married in September of 1981. His career in aviation took off in Michigan and soon landed him and Debby in Brewer, Maine, where they made their home and brought three children into the world. The final accomplishment of Brian's aviation career before his retirement was his monumental contribution (alongside Josh and Dave) to the procurement of LifeFlight of Maine's independent Air Carrier certificate.

Brian had a great love for nature and spending time in various outdoor activities, both solo and with family and friends. While his health allowed, he enjoyed camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, hunting, and geocaching/benchmarking. He was proud to have summited Mt. Katahdin on two treks, one of which his son Sam and son-in-law Scott were glad to have shared with him. He treasured time spent with close friends Tim and Vince, and especially fondly remembered hand-building a cedar strip canoe with them.

He was deeply involved at Discover Church in Hampden, Maine, and alongside Debby served faithfully in many capacities over the years, including participating in three overseas mission trips (one to Ecuador and two to Russia), serving as an elder for over three decades, and volunteering on the A/V team. His faith in Jesus and the encouragement and love of his church family were truly an anchor for him throughout his life, but especially over the last 14 years as he was diagnosed with two rare autoimmune disorders that greatly affected his mobility and quality of life.

During this time, and particularly over the past five years, Brian was grateful for Debby, who stood by his side and became his daily caregiver, a role that enabled him to remain living at home and spending time with his grandchildren and other family and friends. While not without sadness at his losses, his faith was refined and strengthened through his struggles, and he looked ahead to the day when he would be healed and whole in the presence of his Savior.

Brian will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his precious wife Debby; his beloved children Katie & Todd Conner, Kelsey & Scott DeLong, and Sam (Samuel) & Julie (Juliana) Burt; the grandchildren he adored- Espen & Jasper DeLong, and Elizabeth, Bennet & Arthur Conner; siblings and their spouses- Carol (Ken) Gertz, Frank (Bernie) Burt, Lisa Burt, and Sandy (Bruce) VanAntwerp; Rice siblings-in-law- Mike, Jim (Mary), Jerry (Dianne), John (Susan), Joe (Theresa), Becky, and Steve (Lisa); Debby's Wibberly cousins- Elaine, Cheryl, and Dale (Cindy); many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives; dear friends of many years- Bill & Beverly Downing and family, Bill & Ellen Reitsma and family, Tim & Allison Goodell, Vince Lewey. He was predeceased by parents, Frank & Jewel Burt; brother, Gary Burt; in-laws, Vernon & Irma Rice; sister-in-law, Carol Rice; Debby's Uncle Don & Aunt Kathy Wibberly from Maine who welcomed them as their own; and baby granddaughter Sadie Jane Conner, whom he will be the first to meet.

Brian's family would like to extend special heartfelt thanks to friends Beth & Jeremy Boutot for their incredibly gracious help in caring for him over the last two years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Discover Church in Hampden, ME on February 7th at 1:00pm. Special gifts in memory of Brian may be made for the Benevolence fund and other church projects to Discover Church, 270 Main Road North, Hampden, ME 04444.