Robert Warren Burns

BURNS, SCHLENKER, LEWIS

Posted By: Harvey W. Henry (email)
Date: 7/18/2006 at 13:46:14

Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Robert Burns, 80

Robert W. Burns, age 80, of Hayward, WI passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer and surrounded by his family on July 16, 2006 at the Hayward Area Memorial Hospital.
Robert Warren Burns was born on June 9, 1926 in Des Moines, IA, the son of Warren and Esther (Schlenker) Burns. Bob graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. He began his industrious career as a real estate contractor in Des Moines building homes through his business, Bob Burns Construction, before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. In 1958, after many years as a confirmed bachelor, Bob met the love of his life, Nancy Lewis. Their three month and seven day courtship led to marriage in 1959, which was followed by their four children: Deborah, Steven, Rebecca, and Richard. Having moved to Iowa City, IA in 1965, Bob continued his distinguished career as a building contractor under the name of Progress Homes, Inc. After a successful and award winning career as a real estate contractor, he retired in 1976 to Hayward where he designed and built his family's home on Hinton Bay of Round Lake. Upon arriving in Hayward, he continued his entrepreneurship and real estate investments throughout the Northwoods. He enjoyed spending countless hours dabbling in his many and varied passions, not the least of which were computers, golf, photography, and wood carving. He was also active in the Hayward Golf & Tennis Club and was past president of the Round Lake Property Association. His later years were enjoyed with Nan at their new lake home on Round Lake and relaxing during the winter months in Gulf Shores, AL. He was surrounded and cherished by the love and laughter of his grandchildren.
His life is celebrated by his lover, life partner, best friend and wife, Nancy "Nan"; his loving and caring children: Debby (Kurt) Barthel, Steve "TA" Burns, Becky (John) Waggoner, and Dee (Linda) Burns; his grandchildren: Jessica and Hannah Howe, Becca and Sara Barthel, CJ and Caleb Waggoner, Stephanie Tollers, Kim and Kevin Gillis, Katie and Anna Burns, and special "adopted" daughter, Maureen Meersman/Shane. He will be missed by his sister Betty (Art) Frahm and brother Richard Burns, his nieces and nephews, as well as his aunts and relatives in Friona, TX.
He will be dearly missed by the many friends his gentle soul and his memory will live forever.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 22 at the Hayward Wesleyan Church. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Bob's memory be directed to the charity of the giver's choice.
The Anderson-Nathan-Koerpel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.