Dr. John Ovie Burris, 92, died comfortably in his sleep Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Palo Alto, Calif.
Dr. Burris was born in Laramie, Wyo., to Bess and Ovie Burris. After his parents’ divorce at age 4, he spent his childhood between rural Centennial, Wyo., and the city of Laramie. He lived with his mother, a school teacher, who took offseason jobs where work was available, including as a cook for a logging camp deep in the Snowy Mountains. In Centennial, she taught the local children at a one-room schoolhouse with her son, John, as her helper.
Dr. Burris excelled at school and was a hard worker. He won an academic scholarship to the University of Wyoming in Laramie. There, Dr. Burris continued to excel in his education and won the pre-medical Honor Book, which afforded him a highly coveted scholarship to the University of Rochester Medical School in Rochester, N.Y.
Also at the University of Rochester was Susan May Murray, a nursing student, whom Dr. Burris met and married in 1956. After graduation, Dr. Burris took a postdoctoral position at Columbia University Medical School in New York City in the laboratory of Dr. Andre Cournand, who had recently won the Nobel Prize in medicine. After years at the lab, perfecting the technique of cardiac catheterization, Dr. Burris left to become chief of medicine at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn.
Dr. Burris, a cardiologist, had a passion for medicine and was beloved by his patients. He was also an endearing and engaging teacher. He continued for most of his life as an associate professor at Columbia University, teaching a popular yearly course. He also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, reaching the rank of captain.
Dr. Burris settled with his wife, Susan, and their three children in Redding, Conn., where he was active in the community. He became the town medical officer, a position he held for many years. He was the ever-present team doctor for all the town’s athletic teams. He was on the sidelines of every football game in which his sons played.
An extremely creative tinkerer, Dr. Burris loved to work with wire and paper to create unusual pieces of art. He invented paper-folding patterns that became more and more sophisticated until he was able to fold almost any shape – for example, a long-stemmed wine “glass” – from a single piece of paper. This remarkable art form is an unexplored variety of origami that is without precedent and will likely die with him.
Dr. Burris was physically active most of his life. He caught the skiing bug along with his adolescent children. They skied together every possible weekend. He eventually joined the ski patrol at Okemo Mountain in Vermont, where he made many lifelong friends. His other beloved activity was sailing. He and Susan were enthusiastic sailors and admirers of the coast of Maine. After retiring there, they wandered its coastline on their sailboat, Shuang Hsi, every season. They loved to garden and landscape their home, and enjoyed lobstering in the waters of the Damariscotta River with friends.
With his great sense of humor, storytelling ability, and flair for the dramatic, Dr. Burris was a world-class grandparent. He devoted himself to engaging with his grandchildren, adventuring with them, being a cushion for their naps.
Dr. Burris’ beloved wife Susan passed away in 2019, at which point Dr. Burris moved to Palo Alto, Calif.
Dr. Burris is survived by his daughter, Betsy; two sons, Peter and Thom; and six grandchildren.
