Robert Adair Burnett

Robert Adair Burnett, 70, died June 19, 2004 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, January 25, 1934, son of the late Wendell and Curtis Adair Burnett. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wofford College and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Burnett began his academic career at Pfeiffer College as an assistant professor of history. He then spent twelve years at the University of Louisville, serving in the capacities of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor,Chairman of the History Department, and University Ombudsman. He joined Armstrong State College in 1978 as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and a Professor of History and progressed through the ranks to Vice President of academic affairs and Dean of Faculty and Acting President. In 1984, he was appointed the fifth president of the institution, a position he held until his retirement in 1999. During his Presidency, Armstrong Atlantic State University's enrollment more than doubled from 2,500 to nearly 5,700 students, with significant growth in the number of students from outside Chatham County and from historically underrepresented groups. Other achievements included, increasing the endowment, strengthening the athletics program, became a technological leader within the University System of Georgia, developed twenty-five academic majors and expanded scholarships. He held leadership positions in numerous professional organizations, including the Presidents' Commission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, the Rotary Club of Savannah, the Business, Education and Technology Alliance. He served on the Boards of the Union Mission and the Savannah Music Festival, president-elect of the Royce Center and a founding board member of the Flannery O'Connor House and served on the board of trustees at Candler H ospital. He was United States Army Veteran and a member of St. John's Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry. Survived by his wife, Mary Vaughan Burnett of Savannah; daughters, Decie Burnett Autin of Houston, TX; Wendy Jo Burnett of Brunswick, GA; grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie Autin and David Michael Autin both of Houston, TX. Visitation: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday, June 21, 2004 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. Memorial Service: 11:00 am Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at St. John's Episcopal Church. Remembrances: The Burnett Scholarship Fund at Armstrong Atlantic State University, 11935 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31419, St. John's Episcopal Church, 1 West Macon St., Savannah, GA 31401 or Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416. Savannah Morning News, June 21, 2004 Please sign our Obituary Guestbook at www.savannahnow.com