Sara Young-Knox photo, courtesy of the Union Leader.
Ray Burton ’62 lived all his years in the North Country of New Hampshire. Few elected officials have ever understood the lifestyle and character of their constituents as well as he did or have known so many of them by name.
On December 14, 2013, hundreds of Burton’s fellow citizens joined dozens of past and present New Hampshire lawmakers—including governors and members of the Executive Council, of Congress, of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, of the legislature, and of city and town governments throughout District 1—in a tribute to him held at Plymouth State University. Burton, a PSU alumnus and member of New Hampshire’s Executive Council since 1977, passed away in November of 2013.
As an elected official, Burton earned his well-known moniker, “Burton for Certain,” indicative of his staying power with voters. While voters may have regarded him as their perpetual choice for District 1 Executive Councilor and Grafton County Commissioner, he never took their votes for granted, and always worked to earn the voters’ trust. He had two proven mantras for any seeker of public office: show up, and campaign as if you are three votes behind. He taught these political principles and many others to the 142 legislative interns he sponsored and mentored, most of whom were PSU students.
New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan remembered that “no issue, no event, no request” was too small to command Burton’s attention. “If it mattered to a constituent, then it mattered to Ray,” she said.
Former New Hampshire Governor John Lynch agreed. “Ray believed that state government served an important role in helping people. The North Country, [Executive Council] District 1, and all of New Hampshire are better off because of Ray Burton.”
US Senator Kelly Ayotte recalled Burton as “a neighbor who loved his country, his state, and everyone in District 1.” Burton, she added, “epitomized New Hampshire in so many ways. He used common sense, he was independent, and he was willing to stand up for what he believed to be right.”
Trevor Chandler ’09 who interned in Burton’s office said, “He did not just lead by example; he pushed people to get more invested and involved in their government.”
Born August 13, 1939, Burton grew up on his family farm and lived in his family home all his life. He attended the Bath Village School and the Woodsville High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Plymouth Teachers College in 1962 and was a teaching principal in Andover and Warren, New Hampshire.
Burton’s political career began as Sergeant at Arms of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and State Senate, followed by election in 1977 to the Executive Council. He also was elected as a Grafton County Commissioner (District 2) in 1991. He was the face and voice of the people and communities of the North Country. Governors, agency administrators, and even fellow Executive Council members all have their own stories to tell of his mandatory personally guided tours through the North Country. He insisted that all senior state officials, soon after they were elected or appointed, should learn first-hand for whom they work. “We cannot let anybody in Concord forget that there’s life north of Concord,” he would say. “We have to tell them to start looking out their north windows.”
Never forgetting his roots as a teacher, Burton was a lifelong advocate for his alma mater, Plymouth State University. He served Plymouth State as a teaching lecturer, and created a much-admired student internship program for New Hampshire high school and college students that enabled him to mentor young people and demonstrate what being a public servant truly means. Burton’s dedication to serving the citizens and communities of his district are legendary. Although District 1 covers more than two-thirds of the state’s geography with 115 cities and towns, it was often said that if more than three people were holding a meeting in any part of the district, he would be there.
Burton’s public service also included volunteer leadership roles with more than two-dozen community agencies and organizations. On Sunday mornings one could frequently find himplaying the organ at Bath Congregational Church.
Through the years, Burton had been honored by many organizations for his leadership and contributions. Plymouth State University honored him three times: with the Ut Prosim (“That I May Serve”) Award from the PSU Alumni Association in 2001, a Granite State Award in 2010, and the Henry W. Blair Award for Distinguished Public Service in 2013.
Friends of Burton have created The Honorable Raymond S. Burton ’62 Public Scholarship Fund at Plymouth State University to help continue his legacy of service and provide opportunities for others. The scholarship will support an aspiring public servant with priority given to a student from his beloved North County.
Burton also honored his alma mater by directing that his papers and memorabilia be used to create the Raymond S. Burton Collection in the University’s Michael J. Spinelli Jr. ’68 Center for University Archives and Special Collections.
At his core, Burton valued New Hampshire, and by his steadfast service and clarity of purpose made it a better place. The people of New Hampshire are indebted to Burton for his leadership, values, constancy,and courage. ~ Tim Kershner
For information on The Honorable Raymond S. Burton ’62 Public Scholarship Fund, contact Diane Tiffany at dttiffany@plymouth.edu or (603) 535-2592.
Tags: District 1 Executive Councilor Executive Council Grafton County Commissioner Ray Burton scholarship The Honorable Raymond S. Burton ’62 Public Scholarship Fund ut prosim
