Curtis Loton Burgess

Curtis Loton Burgess, 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Manassas, Virginia, on February 2, 2018. Formerly of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he and his wife Dorothy moved to Manassas in 2014 to be close to family. Curtis was born on September 28, 1928, in Thacker, West Virginia, to the late Thomas and Myrtle (Ford) Burgess. He married his wife, Dorothy Gates, on August 2, 1947, in Abingdon, Virginia. Curtis graduated from Virginia Tech in 1959 with a degree in mining engineering. He was well known in the coal preparation industry. Besides helping to build a nuclear reactor at Virginia Tech, he also received a patent in 1984 for monitoring and controlling a heavy medium cyclone, a piece of equipment used in the coal preparation industry. He was recognized internationally as an authority on coal preparation. He was featured on the front cover of Coal People Magazine in May 1986 where he was affectionately referred to as the “Father of Coal Prep”. During his career he traveled around the world to countries such as Russia, India, and Australia. He retired from BethEnergy Mines Inc. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1986. Survivors include his beloved wife of 70 years, Dorothy (Gates); a sister, Mary Evelyn Garbee of Lynchburg, Virginia; a sister-in-law, Connie Burgess of Knoxville, Tennessee; one son, Curtis Richard (Janis) Burgess of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; three daughters, Karen (Michael) Bingley of Vienna, Virginia, Marlene (Edward) Wysocki of Manassas, Virginia, and Darlene (Vincent) Salvia of East Patchogue, New York; nine grandchildren, Michael Martin, Christine Walker, Stephanie Zlater, Tara Illiano, Dana Lepley, Stephan Salvia, Justin Salvia, Jonathan Salvia, and Brianna Salvia; and five great-grandchildren, Bennett Martin, J.D. Illiano, Ella Illiano, Aidan Salvia, and Madelyn Lepley. He was preceded in death by a brother, Elmer Burgess; his brother-in-law, Herman Garbee; and his granddaughter, Jennifer Wysocki. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 7, from 11:00 am to 12 pm at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street in Manassas, Virginia. The service will follow immediately with Pastor Linda Monroe officiating. Immediately following the service a celebration of life reception will be held in the Celebration Room located next to the funeral home. Private interment at Stonewall Memory Gardens in Manassas, Virginia, will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Curtis’s memory to Buckhall United Methodist Church, 10251 Moore Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20111 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Curtis Loton Burgess

September 28, 1928 - February 2, 2018