Robert E. Burns

Robert E. Burns, 91, of Rockford, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 4:50 am. He was born on May 16, 1925 in Rockford, the son of James and Irene (Fernbach) Burns. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and entered into the United States Air Corps, where he served as a B52 Gunner and a radio operator during WWII. He married Jean Farrell at the Cathedral of St. Peter on October 17, 1953. Robert worked for IBM as a senior customer service engineer for many years until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the Blackhawk Trails Club, the ROMEO'S (Retired Old Men Eating Out), and maintained his Friday night poker games continuously for nearly 60 years with the same circle of friends. He volunteered as a bus driver for many years at Wesley Willows Retirement Home, and taught Sunday school classes at St. Bernadettes. Bob was an avid outdoorsman, traveled extensively throughout the US, Mexico, Canada, and Ireland, and enjoyed teaching his children his hiking and camping skills.

He is survived by his children, David (Lynda) Burns, Helene (Kevin) Whelpley, Mary Burns, Anne (Terry) Ford, and Barbara (Mohammed) Yassin; his grandchildren, Alexander Prothero, Caitlin Prothero, Amelia Ford, Brittany Burns, Kyle Burns, Jason Burns, Shannon Whelpley, Omar Yassin, and Nadia Yassin. He is predeceased by his wife, Jean, his parents, James and Irene, his brothers, Jack, James, Ned, and sister, Sister Helene Burns.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 29. 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, Rockford, Ill. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial with military honors at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com