A final salute to the first Eagle pilot former chief test pilot Irving Louis Burrows Jr., whose legacy of safety, service and aviation excellence continues to inspire.
Irving Louis Burrows Jr., 98, of Kirkwood Missouri, died peacefully at home on April 10, 2026.
Irv was born on October 16, 1927, in Albany, NY to Irving Louis Burrows Sr. and Ella Culberson Burrows. Upon graduating from Albany Academy High School, Irv served in the Navy from 1945-1946 and was honorably discharged as a Quartermaster Third Class. He then attended Williams College where he earned a degree in Physics. He served as President of his Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity his senior year.
In 1950 he was selected to attend Pilot Training in the United States Air Force, where he graduated first in his class. After combat training, Irv flew over 100 missions in the Korean War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals. When he returned to the states to Tyndall AFB, he instructed in gunnery, all-weather instrument flight and all-weather fighter interceptor work.
Irv came to St. Louis to work for McDonnell Aircraft Company in January 1956 as an engineer. He became a Production Test Pilot in March of that year and was promoted to Experimental Test Pilot in 1959. In 1966 he was promoted to Chief Experimental Test Pilot. He flew and tested the F3H Demon, F-101 Voodoo, the F4 Phantom and ultimately the F-15 Eagle. On July 27, 1972, Irv Burrows became the first person to fly the F-15 fighter, which is still widely used by our military today due to its superior quality and capabilities.
Irv was promoted to Chief Test Pilot in 1974 and served until 1976 when he took on various management positions retiring as Executive Vice President of McDonnell Aircraft Company in 1991.
Throughout his career, Irv was also an attentive husband, father, grandfather, and friend with interests in travel, golf, tennis, skiing, sailing, card games, and more. He was a long-standing member of Greenbriar Hills Country Club where he greatly enjoyed connecting with friends and family and playing golf and bridge. As a member of the Aberdeen Heights community, he served as treasurer for the garage sale, participated in the water volleyball team, played bridge and pool and enjoyed maintaining a garden plot.
As successful as he was in his military service and exemplary career where he was awarded numerous honors and accolades, he was also unrivaled in the enthusiasm, joy, and humility he brought to his relationships and community. He will be greatly missed.
Irving Burrows Jr. is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jerrie Burrows; daughter, Lynne Hepburn (Dan Durbin); sons Jeff (Debbie) and Scott; grandchildren Laura Hepburn (Bob Engert), Ross Durbin (Kylie), Michael Durbin (Kel); and his great-grandchildren Daphne, Henry, Primrose, Penny, Clementine, and Dahlia. Irving was preceded in death by his half-brother Everett H. Burrows and his sister, Mary Ann Nye.
