Robert C. Burnes
July 6, 1920-Aug. 25, 2014
Palo Alto, California

Robert Cameron Burnes died on Monday, Aug. 25, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Robert (Bob) was born on July 6, 1920, the youngest of eight children of George M. and Dorothy B. (Hartig) Burnes of Minneapolis, Minnesota. A graduate of South High School in Minneapolis, he attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, for some time before enlisting in the Air Force in 1942. Following an honorable discharge he resumed his education at Macalester, graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1947.

He met Marilyn Godfrey in 1940 at a mixer at Macalester. They dated a few times and then drifted apart. While Marilyn was in New York, their relationship rekindled and they corresponded regularly while he was stationed at an Air Force base on the island of Tinian during World War II. After the war, Bob and Marilyn found themselves back in the Twin Cities and their relationship blossomed. They were married in the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul on March 23, 1946.

Bob and Marilyn moved to Palo Alto in 1948 so Bob could pursue a master's degree in education at Stanford University. They loved Palo Alto and lived there for the rest of their lives where they raised three daughters -- Elisabeth (Betsy), Susan and Barbara.

Bob spent 34 years as a teacher, most of that time spent in the Palo Alto Unified School District as a sixth grade teacher at Palo Verde Elementary school and, for a short time, a principal. He loved teaching -- meeting a new class each year, solving the challenge of individual student problems and mentoring student teachers. He was recognized as a master teacher and received two lifetime awards from California PTA -- an unprecedented recognition.

Bob had infinite patience, perseverance and was dedicated to education. He was an authentic Giants fan and also closely followed the 49ers, Stanford sports and politics. He loved charting baseball games and would teach anyone who was willing to learn the ins and outs of the forms. After a friend gave him his first computer, he learned how to operate it by himself and developed a strong interest in computers and the new technology. Over the years, he owned several computers and an iPad. Much to everyone's astonishment and delight he was on Facebook and Twitter until his last days. He dabbled in photography and set up his own darkroom. At age 52 he purchased his first bicycle and for the next 30 plus years he logged over 18,000 miles.

Robert is survived by his children, Betsy (Marc) Knoche, Susan (Jeff) Krow and Barbara Burnes; his granddaughters, Alison Knoche (Nathan) Prosser and Lauren Knoche; his grandsons, Daniel Krow, Ethan Krow, Ojay Eribo and Owen Eribo; his great-granddaughter Palmer Prosser and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his parents, and seven siblings.

Tags: veteran, teacher/educator