Obituary of Robert Burns

Robert Douglas Burns, Sr. Mr. Burns, 87, died suddenly on May 5, 2012 at Carolinas Medical Center. Mr. Burns was born in Anderson, SC on April 5, 1925, the son of Robert H. Burns and Ollie White. He grew up in Hartwell and Atlanta GA, and graduated from Tucker High School, in Tucker, GA. He attended John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, where he received both a Bachelor and Master of Law degrees graduating in 1950. He then received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University in 1956. During World War II, Mr. Burns was part of the greatest generation and served his country in the US Navy, as a combat air crewman. He served from 1943 to 1946, in the Pacific area including Pelilieu and the Philippines. After the war, he served in the Naval Reserves from 1947 to 1950. In 1951, he married his sweetheart, Margaret Westcott, originally from Charlotte, TN. This past September, they celebrated sixty incredible years together, still in love at the end as much as they were in the beginning. Margaret passed away just this past January 17. Robert was active in the insurance industry for many years, as an underwriter including personal and commercial lines and bonds. In semi-retirement he spent several years as a residential real estate broker. Robert was an avid volunteer and spent many years as a member of the Charlotte Power Squadron. He is especially remembered for his many talks on boating safety. He was also a charter member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 17 ? 05. He was a fabulous vegetable gardener, and used that experience to provide advice to other gardeners as a Master Gardener, through the County Cooperative Extension Agency. He also enjoyed Toastmasters and was an excellent public speaker. Understanding the importance of healthcare, he volunteered for 25 years at the Senior Center as a Medicare counselor, through the NC State Insurance Department program, known as SHIIP. He also was active in the Consumer Housing Information Service for seniors, and was an arbitrator through the BBB, President of the Ashbrook Neighborhood Association and the Neighborhood Matching Grant Commission. Among his most favorite activities has been his participation in the Senior Games as a board member and participant. His favorite sports included badminton, biking, swimming, and bowling. Robert was usually found at every event showing his true dedication to the games. He had a great love for jazz and spent many hours listening to his extensive early jazz recording. He passed that love on to his son, Doug, who is a professional jazz musician. This past year he was named Lay Leader of the year (along with his wife Margaret), at Grace United Methodist Church, where he has been a member for 48 years. He also served his church as a Sunday school superintendent, was a member of the Riley Kelley Sunday School class, served on the Administrative Board and was a member of the United Methodist Men. He will also be remembered for his dry wit, wry smile and dedication to staying in touch with many wide-spread friends and family. Robert is survived by son Doug Burns and wife Stephanie; daughter Janet Mildenberg and husband David and grandson Matthew; daughter Betty Burns and partner Cherie Green. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, May 21, 2012 at Grace United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn East Cemetery, Matthews. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 to 7:30pm at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28203. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 737 East Woodlawn Road., Charlotte, NC, 28209, Juvenile Diabetes c/o JDRF, 205 Regency Executive Park Dr., Charlotte, NC, 28217, or Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Center-Tyvola, 2225 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210.