H. Robert was selected the first Canadian Honorary Member in September 1974. Mr. Burton attended the University of Toronto and attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1921. After that until 1931 he worked with the Canadian Inspection Company Limited, the Canada Creosoting Company Limited and a consulting engineering firm.
For the next 30 years until 1961 Mr. Burton was employed by the City of Toronto his career being interrupted during the second World War when he served as Chief Administrative Officer at the Engineering Training Center in Petawawa where he attained the rank of Major. The City of Toronto made Mr. Burton their City Traffic Engineer in 1951. Under his guidance and leadership the Toronto Traffic Engineering Department grew from a staff of four to about 130.
In 1961 Mr. Burton retired from the City of Toronto and became a transportation consultant. After 1969 he has been actively engaged in private transportation consulting work.
Over the years Mr. Burton has been a pioneer in organizing and operating with many associations within the traffic field including the Ontario Traffic Conference where he was the President for two years, the Ontario Motor League, the (Canadian) Council on Uniform Traffic Control and the Institute of Traffic Engineers where he was one of the first Canadians to join and was a District Director for two years, 1962 to 1963.