Robert Burns

ROBERT J. 'BOB' BURNS, 81 ROCKFORD - Robert J. "Bob" Burns, 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital, surrounded by family. Born May 22, 1929, in Winnebago to Clement and Barbara Burns. Bob grew up in Rockford, attended Ellis School and graduated from East High School in 1947. He worked at the Maid-Rite at Broadway and 11th Street, and later for the Rockford Morning Star, worked the mail room, press room, circulation room and ran the switchboard there between midnight and 1 a.m. Married Alice Neuhaus on Aug. 28, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they settled. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Bob's family is his legacy. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Alice; children, Pam (Jay) Gilchrist of Nashville, Tenn., Bill Burns of Solon, Iowa, Carol (Bob Taylor) Burns of Boston, Mike (Michaela) Burns of Phoenix, Mary (John) Hasley and Barb (Mark) Miltner, all of Cedar Rapids; brothers, John and David Burns, both of Rockford, and Jim Burns of Bloomington; sisters, Mary Anne Doherty of Loves Park, Catherine Harrison of Milwaukee and Margaret Brod of Mount Prospect; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents. Vigil and service in Cedar Rapids are listed at cedarmemo rial.com where online condolences can be made. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, or St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, Iowa.