Obituary of Robert C. Burns, Sr.

Robert "Bob" C. Burns, Sr., age 92, a resident of Media, PA, for 57 years, died at home on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. He was born and raised in Pottsville, PA, and graduated from Pottsville High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, where he was stationed in North Africa and India, building military airfields. In 1951, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Catholic University of America. Early in his career, Bob managed construction at the Philadelphia International Airport. In 1958, he founded the engineering company, Robert C. Burns Associates. The company provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for airports, as well as local institutions, such as, Gino's Restaurants and PSFS Bank. He developed an expertise in airfield lighting systems for jet aircraft and he received a National Engineering Achievement Award for the design of in-pavement airfield lighting. Bob was a professional engineer, licensed in Pennsylvania and 23 other states. He retired in 1991. Today the firm, Burns Engineering, Inc. is run by two of his sons. Bob is the founding member of ACEC/PA, an engineering trade association and he helped host the 1981 National Convention, where he dressed up as Ben Franklin to welcome fellow engineers to Philadelphia. He served on the City of Philadelphia's Electrical Code Advisory Board and the American Arbitration Association mediating construction claims. He also served on the Board of Governors for the Catholic University Alumni Association. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed woodworking, home improvements and family celebrations. SURVIVORS Wife of 58 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Burns Sons, Robert, Jr., Matthew, Mark and John Burns Eight Grandchildren