Burton Loupee

It is with sadness that we recognize the passing on January 10, 2021, of loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Burton J. Loupee, at the age of 88. Burton, a devoted family man, was married to Geraldine (Stewart) Loupee for over 64 years and together they raised six children. Burton was born December 29, 1932, to Elmer and Esther Loupee of Newton, Iowa. He grew up in a farming community and was a 1956 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He later completed a master's degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Iowa. Upon completion of his degree at Iowa State, Burton was employed by the Ames Lab of the Atomic Energy Commission. In 1962, Burton was recruited to join the Apollo team at Collins Radio Company, and moved his family to Cedar Rapids, where he spent most of his professional career. He was especially proud of being involved in the project that sent astronauts to the moon. Burton was active in the IEEE, where he was regional director in 2003, and in the Iowa Academy of Science. He volunteered for the Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair from the 1960s, serving as director twice, and continuing his association up to nearly the present time. His interest and concern for the next generation also led him to serve on the local school board, where he advocated for STEM education even before there was an acronym for it. Burton was active in his church, where he served in various capacities over several years. He was an avid bowler, bowling with the same team in leagues for over 40 years. He was active in the Iowa political caucus process, representing his community as a state delegate numerous times. Perhaps because of his farming upbringing, he had an interest and concern for nature and conservation and volunteered at the Squaw Creek Nature Center in its early days. He enjoyed photography as a hobby and carried a liberty-head silver dollar in his pocket to provide perspective when he photographed flowers. Burton was also interested in gardening, birdwatching, woodworking, and candy-making. Burton is survived by his wife, Geraldine 'Gerry' Loupee; their six children, Burton Jr (KT Oxford) of Jamestown, Colorado, Linda (Mark) Bernfeld of Natick, Massachusetts, Valerie Robinson of Bellevue, Washington, Stephanie Loupee of Cedar Rapids, Gretchen Loupee (David Font) of Paulding, Ohio, and Angela Loupee (Brian Moore) of Las Vegas, Nevada; twelve grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donald Loupee. A family memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorial donations can be made either to First Congregational Church, 361 17th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403, or to the Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair, PO Box 10862, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-0862.