Burns, Robert J. 'Bob'

Robert J. “Bob” Burns, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital, surrounded by family. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, by the Rev. Rod Allers. Inurnment: at a later date. A vigil service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m., and after 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.

Survivors include Alice, his wife of 60 years; children, Pam (Jay) Gilchrist of Nashville, Tenn., Bill Burns of Solon, Carol (Bob Taylor) Burns of Boston, Mass., Mike (Michaela) Burns of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mary (John) Hasley and Barb (Mark) Miltner, both of Cedar Rapids; brothers, John and David Burns, both of Rockford, Ill., and Jim Burns of Bloomington, Ill.; sisters, Mary Anne Doherty of Loves Park, Ill., Catherine Harrison of Milwaukee, Wis., and Margaret Brod of Mount Prospect, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bob was born May 22, 1929, in Winnebago, Ill., to Clement and Barbara Burns. A hard-working adventurous young man, he traveled and challenged himself in his search for work. On a supposedly short stop in Cedar Rapids on his way west to Colorado, he met Alice Neuhaus and decided to stay. They later married on Aug. 28, 1950. In the 60 years that followed they created together a rich life and a loving family.

Bob worked at Iowa Manufacturing Co. for more than 29 years, then sold insurance and real estate. He and Alice also owned and managed income property. After retiring, he joked that he was semiretired and “working like a semi.” An active member of The Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Landlords of Linn County, and HAGGIS, Bob also volunteered as a tutor of English.

A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Bob's family is his legacy. Though not by trade, he was an educator and builder. He taught the value of education, hard work, appreciating the humor in everyday life and the wonder of the world around us, seeing life as an adventure. He built not only physical structures like the addition and garage at Lake Delhi, but also foundations for his children to build dreams upon. He will be remembered for his quick smile and his generosity to family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, or St. Joseph Catholic Church.

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