Richard Royal "Dick" Burns Sr.

Richard (Dick) Royal Burns, Sr. age 84 of Veseli, MN formerly of Wayzata passed away on December 31, 2025 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester after a short illness.

Dick was born on September 22, 1941 in Bismark, North Dakota to Royal Walter Burns and Jeanette (Jean) Catherine (nee: Belt) Burns. He grew up in Duluth, Mn on the Rehbein Road with his parents and younger brother and sister. Dick graduated from Central High School and then went on to Dunwoody Institute where he received his diploma in machining. Dick worked in the filed for a few years and then went on to open his business, S & B Manufacturing in Wayzata and then when he moved his shop to Veseli, where he continued to work out of his shop there.

Dick enjoyed racing for many years in the 4-cylinder modifies, building his own cars and engines, he won many championships and made many lifelong friends in the racing community. When his racing career was over he then went on to be a crew chief for his son Rick for many years.

His other life passion was flying. He built his own airplane and the engines for it and enjoyed flying and seeing new places. He enjoyed many years of being in the EAA chapter out of the Maple Lake Airport.

After flying, his next passion was working on engines for Model A cars with his good friend Dave Gerold. They spend a lot of time working on new ideas for the engines and how they could make them better.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jim Burns. He is survived by his son Richard (Rick) Burns (Geralyn Sticha), daughter, Renee Burns. Step-grandchildren, Jackie (David) Oster, Jenny (Eric Simon); great grandchildren, Brianna, Dylan, Sam, Brayden and Lexi; great-great grandson, Curtis; sister Sylvia Korby (Steve Helmer)

A Celebration of Dick's Life will be held January 31, 2026 from 1-4 PM at the White Funeral Home, 201 5th Ave., Lonsdale, MN 55046 (507-744-2368)