Robert (Bob) E. Burns

Robert (Bob) E. Burns passed away Nov. 8, 2010. He was a resident of the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Bob was born Sept. 4, 1920 in Power to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Burns, a railroad steamfitter, and lived most of his life in locations close to the Burlington Northern Railroad (Great Northern Railroad) like Spokane and Newport, Wash., (where he met Jeanne Eleanor McIntosh, the love of his life) and later in Troy and Whitefish.

Bob served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII on the east coast, west coast and the Arctic Ocean (North Atlantic). After an honorable discharge at the end of the war Bob joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and was activated for the Korean Conflict where he served nine months in the Korean theatre on board a supply ship.

Bob began a career in railroad related industries for the Great Northern Railroad immediately after graduating from high school in Troy. Bob continued to work for the railroad until he retired in 1982. Bob worked as track maintainer, fireman, switchman, brakeman and yardmaster. Bob always spoke highly of and enjoyed his co-workers on the railroad. After retiring Bob pursued his favorite activities like hunting, fishing and home projects with a little bit of travel thrown in. Bob was a devoted and loving father and husband.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne Eleanor McIntosh, a son Robert E. Burns Jr. (infant) and all of his siblings, one brother, John and four sisters, Ada, Pearl, Myrtle and Florence.

A daughter Roberta J. King of Creston, B.C.; and three sons, Ronald E. Burns, Helena William C. Burns, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Jeffrey D. Burns, Whitefish, survives Bob. Six grandchildren Teri (mother, Roberta King) Amelia, Christopher and Alicia (father, William Burns) and Jeremy and Josh (father, Jeffrey Burns) and 10 great-grandchildren also survive Bob. Bob is also survived by Winona (Eckelberry) Burns of Columbia Falls.

No services are scheduled at this time. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.