Col Irving Botton, USA Retired, Ph.D. passed away peacefully on January 3, 2023. Born November 12, 1930 in New York City, he was the second child, and only son, of Lena and Daniel Botton. A first generation American, Irving entered NY Public Schools named Isaac and speaking only Spanish. He embraced all things American, changed his name to Irving and quickly learned English. He grew up in NYC and, after moving to Miami Florida with his family, graduated from Miami Beach High School in 1948. What followed was a career that would span nearly five decades.
In 1952, he received a BS from University of Miami and began his graduate studies. He attended UC Berkeley for further graduate work, including work on the Sam Shepherd murder case. At Berkeley, he met and married Marguerite (Isaac). They moved to Kansas City where daughter #1 was born. After one year as a uniformed patrolman in the Kansas City, MO Crime Lab, he accepted a position as Assistant Director with the Allegheny County Crime Lab. In 1964 he received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh. While in Pittsburgh, Irv and Marge welcomed daughters 2 – 4.
Irv and Marge moved to Albany, NY where daughter #5 was born. From 1965–1981, he was a group leader in the Pharmacology Dept of Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute. He concluded his career with the State of NY, first in the Dept of Health and ultimately retiring from the Dept of Social Services in 1995.
Irv retired from the Army Reserve with the rank of Colonel. During his military career, he was Sr Medical Evaluator for 1,000-Bed General Hospitals training at Fort Devens, MA. In case of war, he was Mobilization Designee as Physiologist / Laboratory Director at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Irv’s patriotism and belief in service was inherited with 3 daughters (Carole, Diana and Cynthia) and one granddaughter (Rebekah) serving in the US Army and his grandson Nick in UK law enforcement.
He nurtured a lifelong passion for aviation. In 1967, he earned his private pilot license and was an active member and Chapter President of the Experimental Aircraft Association. His construction of an airplane in the family basement was featured in an article in the Times Union. His daughters became accustomed to stopping at every small airport passed to “watch planes”. It sometimes included the release of a weather balloon or sometimes even a ride in a Cessna, Piper Super Cub or Aeronca. He spent many years on the Restoration Crew at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum and supporting the yearly Air Show. When he stopped flying himself, he joined the CAP as a spotter finding many a field of marijuana plants.
Irving was ahead of his time in many ways. In the early ‘70s, he never shifted a car out of Park until everyone was buckled. In the early ‘80s he put himself on a baby aspirin regimen and started a life-long habit of long, brisk walks. He recognized the importance of resilience and kept everyone “grounded” by embarrassing them with outrageous hats, signs, whatever his ingenious mind could imagine. You never knew what surprise awaited you when you met.
After retirement, he became a traveler, visiting with daughters in Korea, Hong Kong, the UK, Germany and Atlanta. He made countless roadtrips from NY to Colorado where he evolved into “Grandpa Nanny”.
A diagnosis of CLL slowed him down, especially when a bout of shingles morphed into viral encephalitis. Irv fought back, relearning motor and verbal skills and regaining his independence. He also became caregiver to his wife of more than 55 years as she lost herself to dementia.
In 2016, Irv and Marge relocated to Colorado where they spent their final years with their daughter Diana. When Marge passed away in 2020, Irv maintained his sense of humor and interests in the world, current events and politics. There is a legion of nurses and doctors from NY to Colorado that he has charmed with his jokes, desire to please and a Starbucks gift card when they hit the vein on the first “stick”. Unfortunately, a fall before Thanksgiving resulted in a partial hip replacement from which Irv never fully regained his strength nor enthusiasm.
While raised with the decree “Botton girls don’t cry!”, it is hard to not shed many tears in honor of a life so well lived. He leaves behind a legacy rich in humor, discipline and a total lack of tolerance for fools.
Irving is survived by his 5 daughters, Valerie Couch, Carole Serson, Diana Botton, Cynthia Cannon (Don), Debra (Jonathan Spors), 8 grandchildren, (Stacy and Sean Serson, Christopher and Catrina Couch, Jennifer and Nicholas Cannon, Rebekah and Mallory Spors), 3 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Lynn Gilliss, cousins and friends. He is pre-deceased by his wife Marguerite Botton, his parents Daniel & Lena Botton, sister Muriel, son-in-law Bruce Serson and cousin Leon Cohen.
For those who are unable to attend the service in person, you are welcomed to join via livestream using the following link - https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=a59e7789-631c-4ef3-8996-e193dbbd754d
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Col. Irving, please visit our floral store.
Col Irving Botton, USA Retired, Ph.D. passed away peacefully on January 3, 2023. Born November 12, 1930 in New York City, he was the second child, and only son, of Lena and Daniel Botton. A first generation American, Irving entered NY Public Schools named Isaac and speaking only Spanish. He embraced all things American, changed his name to Irvin
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Horan & McConaty - Centennial
5303 East County Line Road Centennial, CO 80122
Thursday, January 19, 2023
9:00 am
Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 S Sheridan Blvd. Denver, CO 80235