Richard Charles Burns, age 84, of Independence, Missouri passed away on Wednesday February 20, 2019. Richard was born May 13, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri to parents Richard and Esther "Louise" Burns. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1952. In September of 1956, he and his brother Gene joined the Army and were stationed at Hart Island in New York City. He worked for Lipton Tea Company and retired after more than 25 years in 1995. He was an avid reader and enjoyed educating himself on new subjects. As well as working full-time, he graduated in 1993 with a degree in Liberal-Arts from UMKC. He is survived by his children, Richard "Rick" (Charlene) Burns and Bronwen (Leroy) Hinson; grandchildren, Nicolas, Kelley, and Richard Burns, and Harrison Stallings; and siblings, Gene, Ronald, Elaine, Dennis, Larry, and Donald; and many nieces, nephews, and friends to cherish his memory.