Burton Joseph Obituary

BURT WAS MUCH LOVED BY THE HILL FAMILY,OUR PRAYERS GOES OUT TO HIS ENTIRE FAMILY.Thanks for everything.

Dear Cousins,

I am very saddened and sorry to hear about Burt. Though we have not seen each other in a very long time, I have very fond memories in my head and in my heart. The thing that always stood out for me, was that no matter how young I was, Burt never patronized or condescend to me. He treated me not like a child, but a young adult with thoughts and ideas of my own.

I just wanted you to know you have my condolences and that your are in my thoughts.

From the day I arrived in the ACLU Illinois offices, Burt was a valued confident, an exceptionally wise guide, a great friend and a truly savvy and skillful advocate for the cause we shared.
Burt helped me, embraced me, nurtured me (in every sense of the word -- I cherish to this day the meals I took with Burt, many on the fly, a few in the warmth of his and Babs' home). On a couple of occasions, Burt forced me to reach higher and farther than I would otherwise have gone. Burt knew the value (and the joy) of being a "troublemaker," a contrary voice, a forceful advocate and many of us were better at those vital tasks because he showed us how.
He was a First Amendment champion of the highest order and an inspiration to so many who worked with him.
I mourn his loss, I extend to Babs and his family my love and sympathy and I know that law, justice and freedom are the poorer today for his absence.
David Hamlin, Los Angeles

The world has lost a good person, but we have wonderful memmories of are good times together.

Our thoughts are with you.

Lois and Art Shapiro

Burton Joseph helped me out when I was a graduate student over 25 years ago. My thanks to Burton and my condolences to his family.

Dear Joseph Families,

I am a former Austinite and neighbor of Burt. I was very sorry to learn of his passing at a relatively young age. While he was actually a peer of my younger brother we were also friends. Sadly I have learned of the passing of other Austinites. Not too many of us are left.

May Burt's memory be a blessing to all of you.

Sincerely,
Ivan Lippitz

Although contemporaries in time, I looked up to Burt as the epitome of integrity and competence. Our paths may have deviated in the practice, but he was always the consummate professional to me.
Earle Malkin
Las Vegas, NV

Burt was a wonderful mentor and friend when I was a law student and young lawyer. He told me that when he was starting out, he vowed that he would never turn down someone who needed help finding a job and he would always a fair salary to anyone working for him. He fulfilled both promises by hiring me as a clerk in his law firm. I learned a lot from Burt about being a lawyer, a spouse, a parent and a decent human being. My deepest sympathies to Babs and Burt's daughters. Burt will be missed.

Dear Babette,
I was saddened to hear about Burt. I have good memories of our times together at family events. My sincerest condolences, Phil Klinsky