Robert Oscar Burns

1944 - 2023

Robert Oscar Burns
January 24, 1944 - March 19, 2023
Robert Oscar Burns, born on January 24, 1944, in Peoria, Illinois, passed away on March 19, 2023. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who lived a full and accomplished life.
At a young age, he moved to Chicago and attended Shubert Elementary where he met Penny, who later became his wife. He then attended Luther North High School before spending his last two years of high school in Mexico City. It was there that he developed a love for golf, living on a golf course with his family.
He attended the Northop Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, where he excelled and graduated at the top of his class. After graduation, he worked for McDonnell Douglas for four years before realizing that he was more suited to working with his hands than in a white-collar job. He then went on to buy and run Triangle Garage, which he transformed into a very successful Body Repair Shop.
Outside of work, he had a wide range of hobbies and talents. These included vintage car restoration, drag racing, land-speed racing, piloting his plane, baking and cake decorating, wood-crafting, carving, golfing, tennis, and cycling. He was good at all of them but always remained humble.
Over the last 15 years, he and Penny wintered in Arizona, where he made lots of friends on the tennis courts as well as a large group of basket weavers. They all appreciated his jovial sense of humor as well as the woodwork he did for Penny's Nantucket baskets. His ornate bases, handles, lids, and rims were the foundation for the many Nantucket baskets that students made.
He was a man of few words but always kind and generous with them. He had a knack for fixing or building anything, and his resourcefulness and determination were a testament to his character.
He bravely battled stage 4 cancer for five years and remained strong and stoic, ultimately succumbing to a heart attack.
He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, kindness, and dedication to family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Penny Burns, older brother Don Burns, son Eric Burns, daughter Kristine Burns-Stirnaman, grandchildren Robert Burns and Emilie Stirnaman. A celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Please reach out to robertoscarburns@yahoo.com for details on the celebration of life.