Jan 27, 2021
DETROIT/ GLADSTONE — Robert Leo Burton, age 85, of the Detroit area and Gladstone, passed away on January 25, 2021. Robert was born on October 31, 1935 to Charles H. and Bernice (Columb) Burton in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Gladstone High School in 1954. He was very proud to have been on the Braves football team and scored three touchdowns against Escanaba on their field for the win (35 to 7) in 1953 as right halfback. Robert had a draft deferment to attend Michigan State University where he received a bachelor of science degree from the School of Business & Public Service and majored in correctional administration. He was also a member of the MSU boxing team and went undefeated. He graduated from MSU in January of 1959 and two days later, he was on a troop train for boot camp to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Robert honorably served as a member of the United States Army in the Military Police. After serving his country, Robert led a successful career with the Michigan Department of Corrections, as a parole agent and parole supervisor in Wayne County for over 32 years. After retirement, he was employed with the Detroit-Wayne County Mental Health Agency as a recipient rights investigator and later started his own business called Tri-Metro Investigative Agency. He was an avid MSU and Detroit Piston sports fan. Robert enjoyed yearly trips on the 4th of July to the Upper Peninsula and his hometown of Gladstone. He liked gardening, reading mystery novels, and eating out at various restaurants, especially Carl’s Chop House in Detroit. He loved caring for his two cats (Booboo and Henri). Robert was able to spend the last five months of his life with family in Gladstone, at the home of his niece, Jo Ann.