Burton Krohn

Burton Jay Krohn, long-time resident of Los Alamos, passed away on May 20, 2019, after fighting a brave, two-year battle against renal cancer.  He was 78. Burton was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Herbert Krohn and Lorna Kraus Krohn, 

Burton was born in St. Louis, MO, in 1941.  At age 10 he moved with his family to Nashville, TN, attending Julie Green grade school and Hillsboro High School.  From a young age Burton began to show interest in the four areas that would remain a constant throughout his life:  music, science, Judaism and close personal relationships. 

Burt began studying piano at age 7, often doing solos through his teen’s, eventually becoming an accomplished classical pianist.  Burton continued to play and perform in Columbus Ohio by joining the Saturday Music and Club mostly accompanying singers and occasionally playing solo.  Burton also played for charity and the enjoyment of others his entire life, refusing to stop playing and singing even after losing his hearing.   He passed on his love of music to his daughters and grandchildren, as well as many others in his community.

 In high school Krohn won awards for science and academics, graduating near the top of his class.  He attended Stanford University, later transferring to Vanderbilt University, graduating from Vanderbilt with a degree in Mathematics.  He then went on to earn a Masters and PHD in physics from Ohio State University in Columbus, OH specializing in spectroscopy.  On completion of his degree and post doctorate in Columbus Ohio and Tallahassee Florida.  He was hired by LASL, where he was an employee for nearly 28 years, working in three different divisions including Theoretical Division and Classification Group.  He also worked and studied for a short time in Washington D.C. as a document classification reviewer.  Every summer for years Burton attended the Ohio State Spectroscopy Symposium, sharing slides on research he had done.  He was very involved in the local chapter of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering).  Over the years he attempted to explain his work in theoretical molecular spectroscopy to his wife and daughters, much to their frustration.

Burton committed to his faith at a young age, and was a regular synagogue attendee his entire life.  After his Bar Mitzvah, age 13, he served as a leader in his Temple Youth.  Throughout his adulthood Krohn held various positions and jobs in the congregations he belonged to, most notably as music chairman, organist and choir member for Temple Beth Shalom, Congregation in Santa Fe  b’nai Israel in ABQ, and later in Beit Tikva’s choir in Santa Fe.  He served on several Jewish organizations that were dear to him, including LACOSA (Los Alamos Council on Soviet Antisemitism), New Mexico Jewish historical society, B’nei Brith and Hadassah.  He loved studying Torah, Talmud, conversational Hebrew, Jewish thought, attending Mensch Club each Sunday Mornings. Burt also faithfully participated in a Jewish book discussion group.

Burt was loyal and committed to his friends and family.  He was known for first his dedicated letter writing, and later, his long distance phone calling.  He was a loving and committed husband and father, submitting himself to everything from daddy/daughter Girl Scout sleep over weekends at Camp Elliot Barker to hours of ballet class piano accompaniment and drives to Santa Fe multiple times a week for Hebrew classes and music lessons. Burt and Susan took the girls to visit well-known sights in and around NM & Durango CO. Burton did it all cheerfully.  Best of all were his ongoing Fifi the Mud Fairy stories that he told on the drives.  Burt drove his family across country twice to show his daughters’ how big this country was. Burton and Susan were always active together, participating in Mountain Mixers Square Dance Club, volunteering with the Santa Fe Opera, acting as race monitors in Los Alamos for various causes, Walking with The Atomic City Road Runners, and competing the Senior Olympics.

Krohn always had a smile on his face and a Pun or joke ready to make you laugh, but he was also a patient listener and problem solver.  He devoted huge amounts of time to helping friends in need, and believed strongly in equal rights and freedom for all people.

Burton is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan, daughters Laurie Liss (Scott) and Mollie Chippeck, 8 grandchildren, Serena Liss, Lucy Liss, Garrett Liss, Joshua Liss, Shlomo Chippeck, Simcha Chippeck, Moishe Chippeck, Eliahu Chippeck, and his siblings Ivan (Phillis) Krohn and Nancy Krohn.  All who knew him as a humble man of kindness, integrity, intellectual curiosity and humor warmly remembers him.

The family of Burton Krohn would like to thank the numerous professional medical providers, Giving Home Health Care Nurses and Caregivers for the endless hours of care and support. We would like to thank especially the moral and physical support of the religious community. Rabbis Martin Levy and Jack Shlachter for giving comfort to Burton in his final hours.

Graveside service was held on Th,May 23 at Guaje Pines Cemetery, arrangements by Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations.  Memorial donations may be made to Los Alamos Jewish Center, Hadassah or MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

Unveiling of the grave marker will take place on Thursday Aug 29, 2019 at 5:30pm at the Guaje Pine cemetery Los Alamos NM.