Obituary of Burt Eugene Bates

Burt Eugene Bates, born August 10, 1923 in Linneus, Maine to Hattie Eliza Adams Bither Bates and Elmer Leon Bates, passed away March 4, 2017 at his home in Freehold Township. Burt was predeceased by his sisters Marion, Margaret, and Maureen; his brother Elmer; and his son Glenn. He is survived by his wife Jeanette (Jan); his sister Letha; daughters Gaynell, Marcia, and Landa; son Keith; son-in-law Jeff, daughter-in-law Susan, daughter-in-law Beth; and grandchildren Ashley, Katie, Evan, Virginia, Nicole, Melissa, and Matthew. Burt served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was educated at the University of Maine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Villanova University. His career was spent as a chemical engineer in the packaging industry until retiring. Burt and Jeanette moved to Freehold in 1987. Burt loved family gatherings and vacations, traveling with Jeanette, bridge, cross country skiing, singing, dancing and square dancing, and socializing with his many friends over the years. He was active in the church, serving as an elder and Sunday school superintendent in the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, PA and an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Freehold. Burt and Jeanette organized a very large annual square dance event for Asian children. Burt was also the president of Jersey Shore Promenaders square dance club. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 118 West Main Street, Freehold on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Nancy Conklin officiating. The interment will follow at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent. If you wish, the family will appreciate memorial donations to the Holt International adoption agency (holtinternational.org/adoption)