George Sterling Burr

George Sterling Burr, 86, of Weston, Mass. died Nov. 13 at his home after a long illness. Born in Hopkington, Mass., he attended Fessenden School in Milton, Mass. and Phillips Andover Academy and, in 1940, graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During WWII, he served in the Army Signal Corps doing research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the developing field of strain gauge technology. This research led to the invention of a machine which tested tensile strength of materials. In 1946, he and his partner, Harold Hindman, founded Instron Corporation Company based in Canton, Mass., which became the world leader in instrumentation used to determine the physical characteristics and properties of matierals of all types. An avid and expert sailor, he and his family summered for many years in Marion, Mass., where he served as vice commodore of Beverly Yacht Club. As a young man he was also a pioneer in the emerging sport of skiing. In 1956, he and his wife bought a house on Black Mountain in Jackson and, for the next 48 years, spent treasured moments there with their family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen, and by four of his five children, Susan Burr Carlo, Jonathan Burr, Leslie Burr Herrick and Robert Burr. His son, George, died in 1997 at the age of 46. A service is scheduled today at 3 p.m. at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church in Wellesley, Mass. Arrangements are with J.S. Waterman and Sons-Waring Funeral Service of Wellesley.