Burton Allen Yale, Sr., age 81, a space mission engineer and computer industry pioneer passed away Friday, June 28, 2013, at his residence in California as a result of natural causes.
Born December 2, 1931, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, he was a son of the late Clarence Raymond “CR” and Lena Yale.
Mr. Yale was a Navy veteran, having served from 1948-1950.
Mr. Yale went on to college at the University of Buffalo, graduating in1956 with dual degrees in Mathematics and Engineering. He continued his education by attending classes at UCLA, Roberts Westleyan College and St. Bonaventure University.
Mr. Yale worked as a computer engineer, flight trajectory analyst for the Gemini space missions and marketing representative for Ford Motor Company, Cornell Aeronautical Labs, Bell Aircraft, Bendix, TRW and Honeywell.
In 1967 Mr. Yale co-founded General Automation a multi-national computer company based in California.
Under his direction General Automation developed a line of computer products that served as the basis of industrial automation systems.
Within four years, the company went public with an initial offering of 420,000 shares at $47 per share.
In 1974, with sales of $61 million, General Automation was the 4th largest “minicomputer” company in the world.
In October 1975 after becoming a “born-again” Christian Mr. Yale was featured in a human
interest article by TIME Magazine titled: “Bibles in the Boardroom”. He stated at that time, “If only someone would have explained the new-birth experience and the growth stages of a Christian in terms I could understand twenty five years ago, over twenty years of my life would not have been wasted.”
Mr. Yale also founded many diverse businesses during the 70s which included Cattle, Mining, Airlines, Aircraft, Real Estate, automotive and air-freight (the precursor to Fed-Ex and UPS).
Mr. Yale was an avid snow skier, frequenting ski areas throughout the United States and Europe.
In his 50’s, Mr. Yale took up marathon running, competing in numerous races including the New York City Marathon in the early 1980’s.
In the 1980’s Mr. Yale moved from California back to his home town of Bradford, Pennsylvania to open BAY Chevrolet, his childhood dream career. He was given the “Keys to the City” by the Mayor for his contributions to Bradford.
Mr. Yale is survived by five children: Burton Allen Yale, Jr., Jamie (Yale) Bilezikjian, Tamie (Yale) Farinacci, Timothy Yale and Roburt Yale.
Mr. Yale is survived by nine grandchildren: Thomas Farinacci, Gina Catalina Colucci, Katerina Yale, John Farinacci, Madison Yale, Adam Yale, Harry Yale, Burton Allen Yale 3rd and Natalie Rose Yale.
Mr. Yale was pre-deceased by his brother Dean Yale and sister Kay Yale-Leupold. He is survived by his brother James Yale and sisters Betty Langianese and Patricia Yale.
Mr. Yale is survived by his former wife Priscilla Jane Perry of Eldred, Pennsylvania. Mr. Yale was pre-deceased by his former wife Phyllis Ann Baldwin of Bedford, Indiana.
During his later years, Mr. Yale enjoyed spending time with friends, family and especially his dogs Sunny and Baily.
On his request, Mr. Yale’s body was donated to science. There will be a small private family memorial service in the near future.
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