Neil Holbourn Burnet

1939 - 2022

Neil Holbourn Burnet passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 20, 2022 at the age of 83, in San Anselmo, California. Neil was born on April 21st, 1939, in Hatton, Sri Lanka to Charles Burnet from Crieff, Scotland and Anne (Moscrip) Burnet from Newcastle, England. He was joined later by a sister, Caroline. His father was a tea planter and the family lived on a tea plantation called Nayabedde, close to Bandarawella in the high country of Sri Lanka. Neil attended elementary school, in Nuwara Eliya, up in the hill station in the mountains. His father arranged for Neil to have golf lessons in Nuwara Eliya and this began a lifelong love of the game. Neil also enjoyed playing soccer, rugby, tennis and cricket.At the age of twelve Neil was sent back for secondary school to Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland. He then continued on to Edinburgh University where he completed a degree in Civil Engineering. While he was at Edinburgh University he joined the University Air Squadron, gained his pilot's license and had the opportunity to fly de Havilland Chipmunk planes over England and Scotland. He worked for several years in both England and Scotland for the civil engineering company Robert MacAlpine. In 1967, he emigrated to San Francisco where he began working for Bechtel where he would continue working throughout his career as a civil engineer and cost schedule supervisor on nuclear power plants in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Georgia and Australia.At a birthday party given by an Irish friend, Neil was introduced to Eileen Ormiston, originally from Glasgow, Scotland. Eileen would become the love of his life and they were later married in June, 1991. Neil played an important role in the lives of Eileen's children Tom and Margaret, and in later years in the lives of their children: Cameron, Misako, Fiona and Maclay. They all adored Neil.Neil was an excellent golfer, having a membership in the Olympic Club for many years, and playing almost every Saturday with the same group of friends for over thirty years at San Geronimo Golf Club. In Scotland, he learnt the art of fly fishing from his father and this was a continuing interest throughout his life. He enjoyed fly fishing is California, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, as well as trips to Canada, Argentina and Chilean Patagonia. Eileen did not fly fish, but she accompanied Neil on all these trips recording the scenery with her travel watercolor set.Neil and Eileen loved to travel and visited countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America and Mexico. A memorable trip was back to the high country of Sri Lanka where Neil had grown up.Neil had a keen sense of humor, loved a party, was a sympathetic listener, and was thoughtful, kind and generous. One of his key characteristics was his loyalty to family and friends. This was true of organizations as well. He maintained his contact with Merchiston Castle School throughout his life, organizing in June, 2007, a celebration for the 175th. Anniversary of the founding of the school. A party was held at the Olympic Club with eight "old boys" from the school in attendance. He still received the monthly newsletter from the school. He maintained his contact with the Edinburgh University Air Squadron, participating in the fund raising for the memorial statue of Captain Eric Winkle Brown, Britain's best pilot during World War ll. He was present at the unveiling of the statue at Edinburgh Airport in July 2018. He continued his contact with his Bechtel colleagues until shortly before he died through their biannual meetings.Neil is preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his loving wife, Eileen; his stepson Tom and his wife Mari; his stepdaughter Margaret and her husband Micah; his beloved grandchildren: Cameron, Misako, Fiona and Maclay; and his sister Caroline Scott and her husband, John, of Kilmany, Scotland. The family wishes to thank the staff of By the Bay Hospice for their wonderful, compassionate care. There will be a private family service and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.