Robert Leslie Burns

Robert Leslie Burns passed away on March 15, 2026, at the age of 85. A local to Newport News, Robert graduated from Newport news High School in 1958, after a successful football career in the school. From 1959 onwards, he worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, later known as the Newport News Shipyard. Robert was a passionate, hard worker who took various jobs at the shipyard until retiring in 2008, when he was the Manager of the Shipyard during the night shift. The shipyard was his second home and family.

When Robert wasn't working at the shipyard, he followed the spirit of adventure and loved riding in his racecar as a young man, even winning a few races. As he got older, Robert enjoyed taking long road trips on his Harvey Davidson. Later in life, he could be found scouting out different antique trails and shows with his partner in crime, Linda. They grew an extensive collection of glass together, having a keen eye for uranium glass pieces.

He is predeceased in death by his first wife, Carolyn Bradley Burns, as well as his sister Kathleen Dixon.

He is survived his wife, Linda Guthrie Burns, and his three daughters Robin Perry (Kevin), Cynthia Flannery, and Leslie Vogel. Robert is also survived by his grandchildren Emily Perry, Erin Perry, Conor Joseph Flannery, and R. Garrett Vogel. Robert is also survived by Clay Moore (Cindy), Craig Moore (Trish), and Dana Brown (Tommy), and their children Andrea Jordan, Michaela Day, Brandon Moore, Erin Brown, Emily Brown, Nathan Moore, and Kyle Moore. He also leaves behind his siblings Johnny Burns (Freda), Dickie Burns, Nick Taylor (Rose) and Christine Carlsen (Calvin).

A funeral service will be held at Parklawn Wood Funeral Home, located at 2551 N. Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 2:00PM, with a committal to follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.