Robert Thomas Burns

Robert Thomas Burns, 98, of Orlando, FL, passed away on April 16, 2023. Robert was born in 1925 in Chicago, IL, to Robert H. Burns and Margaret (née Flaherty) Burns. During the Great Depression, the family moved from Chicago to Indianapolis, IN. In 1943, after graduating high school at age 18, he enlisted in the United States Army. Presciently, he had chosen to study German in high school, knowing that skill would be valuable during the war. His fluency earned him a spot on an advance team that requisitioned German villages for the temporary use of the advancing allied army as they chased the Nazis during the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. He was a Staff Sergeant with Company E, 261st Infantry. He received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal. In addition, he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Marksman Badge. He witnessed the 1945 US liberation of Ohrdruf concentration camp, a subcamp of Buchenwald in Germany.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Indiana. He met Junella (June) Vachon on a blind date and knew immediately that she was the one. They married in 1949 in Yoder, IN, and had five children, Anne, Terence, Susan, Lorraine, and Margaret. In 1950, he published a novel, called The Perfect Invader (Indianapolis, IN, Bobbs-Merrill), about his war experiences.

Robert, who had an incredible memory and a keen interest in history, passed the State Department entrance exam and began working as a Foreign Service Officer in 1953. His first assignment was in the American sector of Berlin. He served posts in Vancouver, BC, Canada; Alexandria, VA; Paris, France; Bonn, West Germany; a sabbatical at Columbia University in New York City; and a long stint back at the State Department in Washington, DC. He served as Officer in the United States Delegation to NATO; First Secretary to the Embassy in Bonn, Germany; Officer in European Delegation Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Officer in the Office of Congressional Relations; and British Desk Officer and Deputy Director in the Office of Northern European Affairs. In 1970, he was awarded the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for superior performance as Acting Deputy Director in European and NATO affairs. He also published articles in Foreign Affairs magazine, The Critic Society, and Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute.

After retiring in 1979, he and June moved to Dunedin, FL, where Bob, painted, trained bonsai trees, and worked in the garden. He was an avid reader and clear thinker and adapted with good grace to the slow loss of his eyesight. Robert was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church.

Robert is survived by his children, Anne (Joe) Raspanti, Terry (Alice) Burns, Susan (Jay) McFadyen, Lorraine Burns, and Margaret Burns; 13 grandchildren;18 great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Robert was predeceased by his beloved wife of 73 years, Junella M. Burns; his parents; brothers, John (Janet) and William (Sarah); and half-sister, Lorraine (Jerry) Fogarty.

A Mass of Christian Burial with be celebrated at 11:00am on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church14623 Bluffton Road Yoder, Indiana 46798 with visitation one hour prior. The Rite of Committal will follow at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church Cemetery with military honors.