Barton Carl Gaut

1935 - 2025

October 2, 1935 - February 10, 2025 Barton C. Gaut died peacefully at his home in Riverside on February 10, 2025, at the age of 89. Born in Eagle, Colorado, he soon moved with his family to Hawthorne, CA, where his father, Marvin Gaut, worked for Northrop Corporation, and his mother, Margaret (Carl) Gaut, managed Melody Music, their family-owned store. Barton's work at the store was fortuitous, because he met his future wife, Merla (Moore), when he sold her a record. Romance later blossomed in their English class at Leuzinger High School, and in January they celebrated 70 happy years of marriage.
After high school, Barton attended UCLA on an ROTC scholarship, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1957. He then served in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps before attending the UC Berkeley School of Law, where he achieved academic distinction as a member of Order of the Coif.
He and Merla moved their growing family to Riverside in 1962 to join the law firm of Best, Best and Krieger. In his 33 years at the firm, Barton developed a distinguished career by specializing in complex civil trials and appeals. A respected leader in the legal community, he served as President of the Riverside County Bar Association, received the Leo A. Deegan Award for excellence in litigation, and was listed in Best Lawyers of America. He also dedicated many hours to community service, including acting on the Board of Directors for the First Congregational Church.
In 1995, Barton was appointed to be a judge on the Riverside County Superior Court and to the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, two years later. He was prolific during his 12 years as an Associate Justice, authoring over 1,900 opinions of which more than 100 were published. Barton retired in 2010 after a 47-year legal career, leaving a legacy of dedication, integrity, distinction, and love for the rule of law.
Barton is survived by his wife Merla Gaut, his brother and sister-in-law Norman and Madeleine (Dupuy) Gaut of Lexington, MA; his son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Paula (DeLeo) Gaut of Westwood, CA; his daughter Jamie DiFrancesco of Irvine, CA; his son and daughter-in-law Brandon and Becky (Koch) of Irvine, CA; his daughter and son-in-law Andrea and Jared Eigerman of Newburyport, MA; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Barton delighted in this family, to whom he was unceasingly generous with his time, energy, and support. He fostered their enthusiasm for the LA Rams and ignited passion for the outdoors through backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada.
Most of all Barton loved spending time with Merla. Among their many shared interests, they traveled extensively with their "walk group" of Riverside friends and attended UC Riverside extension courses. Weekends in Newport Beach, with ocean breezes and extended family, were among their greatest joys.
The world has lost a good man, a good husband and a good father. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Barton and Merla Gaut Endowed Award Fund at UC Riverside, which funds scholarships for under-privileged students. A celebration of life will be held at the UC Riverside alumni center on April 27, 2025 at 3 pm.