DeVere E. Burt

DeVere Burt passed away peacefully on May 25, at his longtime home in Cincinnati, at the age of 84. He was born September 30, 1941 in Des Moines, Iowa.

DeVere was a lifelong naturalist, and his love for nature inspired everything he poured his heart into, from his career to his hobbies to his art. He was greatly inspired by the life and times of John James Audubon and his longtime friend and fellow artist and naturalist, John Ruthven.

DeVere was a former research biologist with the Nature Conservancy and had a 25 year career as President and CEO of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. He was a member of the Society of Animal Artists, founder of the Masterworks for Nature group, founding trustee of the Susan Kathleen Black Foundation, trustee of The Cincinnati Nature Center, Director Emeritus of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science, and a Commissioner for Great Parks of Hamilton County.

He was an award winning artist specializing in landscapes and animal subjects, and lectured and exhibited his artwork around the Midwest. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, naturalist, artist, automobile enthusiast, educator, and pigeon fancier. DeVere is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Patricia Burt, son Doug Render and wife Karen Barela, son Charles Burt, Charles' son Zach Burt, and Charles' former wife Joni Burt and their 2 children Sophie and Sam Burt. He leaves behind countless friends and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cincinnati Nature Center--Krippendorf Lodge, 4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford, OH 45150, on July 31, 2025 at 10.00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in DeVere's honor to the following:

The Museum of Natural History & Science at Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati Nature Center

Cardinal Land Conservancy

"A homing pigeon doesn't question the journey-it simply finds its way back, again and again and again. A lesson in loyalty."