Robert J. Burns
Robert “Bob” J. Burns Jr., Ret Captain CPD, 81, passed away on March 2, 2024. He was truly one of a kind. Bob was married to Marilyn Burns (nee Goddard) for 55 years. Their relationship and love were beautiful. They shared a mutual admiration and respect for one another.
Bob was the son of the late Robert J. Sr. and Mary Burns; brother of the late Edward and John. Bob was an amazing father to Bob Burns, Beth Burns (Nate Engkjer), and Maggie Burns. One of his biggest joys in life was being grandpa – “papa” – to Max, Matt, Emma, Huck, and Aurora. He was so proud of the accomplishments big and small of his children and grandchildren, and he didn’t hesitate to let everyone he ever met know. When he loved you, it was big, full of his personality, and all encompassing. To witness him experience such wonder, awe, and pride of the people he loved was a true and long-lasting gift to all of us.
Bob loved nature, adventure, reading, and people. When he was younger, he spent many summers taking his family camping which often included stops at Revolutionary War monuments, antique stores, and any swimming hole he could find. He loved his trips fishing and white water rafting with his son and grandsons or hiking through the Chugach Mountains in Alaska with his daughter or indulging in the thrill of an amusement park. He spent many days “slicing” a golf ball; feeding the fish in the pond next to his house; cheering for Max on a baseball or football field; sitting by a pool reading books from crime fiction to historical biographies; or working in his wife’s antique store. He loved his life and lived it to its fullest buoyed by his unyielding faith and commitment to his Catholic beliefs and values.
One thing we all cherished about him was his kindness. He lived his life with so much authenticity. When he asked you how you were doing, he so genuinely wanted to know. Bob embodied the notion of “generosity of spirit”: He celebrated people in his life’s successes and efforts with such grace and depth. He was altruistic, giving without hopes of receiving. His only motivation was to be a good human in this world. Bob’s favorite saying was “Be Good, Do Good”.
He was the dad that cried tears of pride at your graduations, cared deeply about your friends, and was your biggest cheerleader; the grandpa who read endless books, attended every event of yours that he could and celebrated each milestone with verve; the husband who loved and was incredibly loved; and the friend and “Mr. Burns” who cherished a good long chat. He had a great sense of humor. Over the years he learned how to laugh at himself and endured endless ribbing from his family for his antics.
Bob was a proud Marine and embraced his years as a policeman. He nobly retired as a Captain of the Chicago Police Department in 1998. He was a deeply respected colleague, leader, and friend.
We will miss his huge heart, contagious laugh, and the perspective from which he saw the world. Bob is leaving behind a legacy of warmth, wisdom, and endless cherished memories.
He was simply the best.
To all his friends, you know how much he cared for you!
Visitation Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral mass 12:00 p.m. at St. John Fisher Church, 103rd Street & Fairfield Avenue, Chicago. Interment St. Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Wounded Warrior Project. (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) will be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Curley Funeral Home. For Funeral Info.: (708) 422-2700 or www.curleyfuneralhome.com.
March 13, 2024 – 12:00pm cst
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