Robert F. "Bob" Burns

Robert Francis "Bob" Burns, 74, of Livingston, died at his home early Saturday morning, Nov. 11, 2006, following a long, courageous battle with cancer. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory.

Bob was born to Fred G. and Nora M. "Boucher" Burns Nov. 19, 1931, at his parent’s home at 423 S. K St. in Livingston. He attended Livingston schools until 1949 when, at age 17, he entered the U.S. Navy, where he completed his education. He served with distinction on the USS Lyman K. Swenson and the USS DeHaven during the Korean War, and was involved in the invasion of Inchon Harbor. Following his honorable discharge in 1953, he returned to Livingston, and on Nov. 9, 1954, married Mary Ann Wenaas in Helena. They mad Livingston their home while Bob worked as an electrician and lineman for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph. Over the years, he also worked on wiring ICBM silos throughout the country and was also an electrician in the Burlington Northern Shops in Livingston. In the late 1960s, he purchased The Sport bar, and later the Wrangler bar, in Livingston, which he operated until the 1980s. He then went to work for Livingston Rebuild Center (LRC). Bob and his wife also installed some of the first large TV satellite dishes in the area.

During his retirement, his family continued remodeling the home they purchased from his uncle, next to his childhood home. He greatly enjoyed improving the property into a comfortable home with meticulous landscaping. Bob always maintained a strong interest in electronics, and in the late 1960s he built a color television from scratch, using thousands of parts. He kept current on the latest advances in technology and was always looking for the most recent "gadgets," including computers, digital cameras, cell phones and the like. His skill and knowledge on the Internet allowed him to initiate and maintain contact with shipmates from the vessels on which they served together, some 50 years after they had parted company at the end of the Korean War. Bob lived life to the fullest and always welcomed any new challenge. He was known as a gourmet cook and accomplished baker. His family remembers the wonderful bread that he used to make from scratch, and the many meals they were always invited to at the Bob’s home. He was a member of Livingston Elks Lodge and was formerly active in Livingston Chamber of Commerce. Once he rode on horseback from the Livingston Chamber of Commerce to deliver a letter to the Billings Mayor. Also, for many years he was very active with the AA. His sense of excitement and enthusiasm will be greatly missed by many.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Burns; son Robert F. "Rob" (Lisa) Burns; and three daughters, Mary E. "(Dean) Ziegler, Barbara J. Burns and Annette N. Burns, all of Livingston; a sister, Marilyn (Zane) Sullivan of Missoula; eight grandchildren, Leanne Sudbeck and Tyler Burns, Aza, Alex and Abram Ziegler, Courtney Elliot Rusk and Jillian Rusk, and Corey Lewis; and two great-grandchildren, Alanis and Preston Ziegler. He was preceded in death by his parents.

If so desired, memorial may be made to: Livingston Hospice Care, 504 S. 13^th St., Livingston MT 59047, or to the donor’s choice.