Robert “Bob” P. Burton, formerly of Altamont and Guilderland Center, was an entrepreneur who ran Burton’s Dairy and was a lifetime member of the Guilderland Center Fire Department.

He died on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, after a long illness. He was 82.

Born on Jan. 20, 1943, he was the son of the late William and Evelyn Burton.

“Bob grew up in Altamont while spending much of his childhood years in Schoharie, visiting his favorite Aunt Jane and Uncle Perry,” his family wrote in a tribute.

“He graduated from Guilderland High School in 1960 and went on to study at the Junior College of Albany,” his family wrote. “Bob began his career in Altamont managing the A&P Supermarket before landing a job at Borden Dairy in Menands as a milk delivery driver.

“Shortly thereafter, Borden’s ceased home-delivery services, offering existing routes to their drivers; with that, Bob embraced self-employment. Bob would deliver milk in the mornings and drive a school bus for Guilderland Central Schools in the afternoon and in the summer would paint the school buses.

“It was during this time that he met and married Barbara (née McCagg) Burton of Red Hook. Throughout the years, his milk delivery routes evolved and expanded into a full-blown entrepreneurship. Burton’s Dairy served institutions, restaurants, schools, and grocery stores in multiple New York counties.

“His daughter worked side by side with him since she was a small child, running the milk to customers’ milk boxes on their porches and later having her own route and overseeing the accounting operations of the business. He sold the company in 2000, deciding it was time to retire.

“If you knew Bob, you would know that he could never retire. Shortly after retirement, Bob decided to deliver baked goods for Heidelberg Bakery as well as driving school buses for Cherry Valley, Cobleskill, and Sharon Springs central school districts, and finally delivering auto parts for Federated Auto Parts, servicing the Mohawk Valley.

“Bob was a lifetime member of the Guilderland Center Fire Department, playing softball for many years on the fire-department team as their first baseman and later their pitcher. Burton’s Dairy also sponsored a softball team for years, with Bob playing alongside his teammates.

“He was an avid railroad enthusiast, having three large-scale train setups in his home. He enjoyed taking long rides, picnics at Fox Creek Park with his family, going for pizza at Smith’s Tavern in Voorheesville on Saturday nights, watching the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Yankees, and enjoying a cold beer while doing all the things he loved.”

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Robert P. Burton is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, who stood by his side through all his endeavors; by his daughter, Anne Burton of Albany; and by his sons, Robert Burton Jr. of Shartlesville Pennsylvania and James (Maria) Burton of Cobleskill.

His parents, William and Evelyn Burton, died before him, as did his sister, Linda Trela. 

Burial will be at the Old Stone Fort Cemetery in Schoharie with private at the Langan Funeral Home in Schoharie.