April 14, 1960 – November 10, 2025

Ian Burt passed away peacefully at age 65 at his home in Saskatoon, surrounded by his loving family and a gathering of friends.

Ian was born in Exeter, England, the youngest child of Pamela and Dr. John Burt. He started school at age 4 at Miss Comfort’s Hillcrest School (For the Very Gifted, according to Ian, who admitted that last part was an absolute lie) and had happy memories of family car trips to many western European countries.

His family sailed to Canada in 1967, landing in Montreal and driving to their new home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Ian loved dogs and the outdoors. He was an avid cyclist, skier and sailor.

He graduated from Carlton high school and spent a year with the youth service program, Katimivik, in Quebec, B.C. and Nipawin before doing a Geology degree at the University of Saskatchewan. He worked in mineral exploration, often climbing mountains or tramping through northern forests and muskeg, where he was once, famously, stalked by a black bear.

He and Beata Van Berkom had their son, Zeger, in 1994.

Ian returned to university for an MBA and worked in several start-up companies, before moving into wellsite geology.

Ian was in his happy place on any boat. In 2013 he enjoyed a month aboard his friend’s 40-foot sailboat that took them from Bermuda to the Azores, where Ian’s partner Betty Ann, joined them.

Standing 6 foot 5, with a personality to match, Ian was a large presence in any room. He loved people and maintained his friendships, often calling people he hadn’t seen in months or years. He instigated a long-standing P.A. men’s weekly breakfast group and a lunch group of former co-workers and participated in online group calls with far-flung buddies.

He was never shy about telling people he loved them and when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2023, he was heartened by the dedication of family and friends who helped with home modifications, got him to the lake and lunches regularly, visited from distant provinces, and helped with his personal care.

Ian maintained a positive attitude throughout. His mantra was “Accept, be happy, be curious.”

Ian is survived by his partner, Betty Ann Adam; his son, Zeger Burt (Samantha Schwab); sisters, Penny Zelensky (Gary), Jane Brown (Jim); as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and their children. Ian will also be lovingly remembered by his stepdaughter, Lucia Diakuw (Aaron O’Bryan); his cousins in England, Barry Jones and James Henville; and many dear friends. Ian was predeceased by his parents, Dr. John Burt and Pamela Burt (née Henville); and sister, Susan Stevenson.

The family sends special thanks to Prairie Hospice and all of the Health Care Employees who encountered Ian and helped him in his illness, from medical and therapeutic specialist, to home care aids and the ALS Society, Ian felt seen, respected and cared for.

A celebration of life will be held at Hillcrest Funeral Home on Friday November 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of floral tributes, donations to the ALS Society of Saskatchewan would be greatly appreciated. Condolences for the family may be left by visiting www.hillcrestmemorial.ca

• Date : 2025-11-10