I didn't miss your birthday - was thinking of you Hugh.

Found this gem going thru an old box of photos that my grandmother had..can't even imagine what we were going to that demanded a tie? But there is that sweet smile of his.

Yesterday an image of Hugh passed through my thoughts and now I am in disbelief. From his VW notchback to the treehouse,Harpos and the West Coast Ramblers and chili dogs at the Union, I have so many memories of his friendship. You may ask how strong was that friendship? After 36 years it took me only a minute to open a box in my studio and go thru some of his better photographs.

Dearest Friends,From Alta,Utah to N.Zealand and all parts of the country...to Peter,Mr.Shiney,Jules and Jeff,Craig,Hank,Beth,Joe,Heller and Stickman...Today is Hugh's birthday...have a toast ..take a moment...it's a beautiful,snowy day in Ohio.Love to you all,Chuck Goodall

I was so sad to hear of Hugh's passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences.  He touched many lives. I was fortunate to be one of them.  

I met Hugh through my sister, Julie.  We became close friends, living and working together through much of the late 70's.  Many memories stand out.  Here are a few:

Work ethic.  I remember Hugh's strong work ethic.  Once, after we had recently moved to Carrollton OH, we took up a large forestry contract which could only be carried out if it didn't rain.  Consequently, we were out there every clear day.  Unfortunately, this coincided with a drought, and as we woke up one morning and got our gear together, Hugh said “Do you realise we've worked 30 straight days?” We both laughed at that one, but went out anyway.  I recall we treated ourselves to a day off soon after that.

Baseball.  Hugh loved the game, and always tried to make time to catch the playoffs in October.  In Carrollton, around this same time, we were staying in an apartment with an old cast-off black and white TV, the kind with the rabbit ears antenna.  The channel showing the World Series was a virtual white-out with snow.  Reception was poor, to say the least. We figured out that a bit of tin foil on the antenna perked things up.  Within 10 minutes, Hugh had strung about two whole rolls, maybe 60 feet, around the room.  Looked like something out of a 60's B-grade sci-fi movie.  Pretty good reception though, particularly if we stood in one part of the room.

Trees.  Hugh was the first person I met who was truly fascinated by trees, how they grew, what they were used for, and the associated folklore of the woods.  It was infectious, and I have him to thank for my eventual career in forestry.  I recall once I helped him deliver a pickup load of mixed hardwood firewood to an old lady in the Athens area.  As we were stacking it up against her garage, he'd identify each kind, saying “This is white oak.  It will burn a long time.  And this is Sassafras.  You know, they say that having Sassafras in your woodpile brings good luck”.  I wonder what she thought of us.

There are many more stories - good times at the house on Scroll Road, planting trees, road trips - all happy memories that will live on.

Please accept our condolences. It has been a long time since we'd been in touch but we once considered Hugh a close and dear friend and we are so saddened to hear the news.
Craig Heffern and Linda D'Ambra

Deeply saddened to hear of Hugh's passing.
Goodbye old friend, may we meet again on the other side.
Great meomries of good times; you will be missed.

This is difficult to write and is an even more difficult a path to tread as I remember Hugh. I was sad to learn of Hugh's death. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.

I met Hugh in 1973 as we both worked developing photographs in the dark room at Ohio University. From that time on we were close and Hugh stood with me at my wedding. My father always stated that we were cousins as the Burns family married into the Erskine family somewhere in our shared Scottish past. I don't know if that is true but I always thought of Hugh as family.

There were many good times together with Hugh in school, traveling, and later, working together doing timber stand improvement. As Hugh started his family and I mine in California we didn't have as much opportunity or time to see each other but we remained in contact. When we did meet up again it never mattered how long we had been apart, we could always pickup as if we'd just parted the evening before. He was a good man and friend.

Nothing can change the loss felt but I hope that Hugh is in a better place.

Your family, Hugh's, and his many friends are in our thoughts and hearts.

To all the Burns family, I was so sorry to hear of Hugh's passing.  I have so many great memories of our times together, and of our great friendship over many years.  He was my roommate Freshman year at O.U., when we started a friendship that lasted long after college.  We started our families at the same time, my daughter was botn the same year as Emily, and my oldest son was born the same year as Conrad.  Words are hard to come by to express how great my feeling are for Hugh.  I will always remember his loyal friendship, kind and sincere manner, his big smile, and his intense drive.  My thoughts are with all of your family now, as are my wife Kathy's.  I hope time will help heal your grief.

I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Hugh Burns. I knew Hugh in our undergrad days at Ohio University. We once hopped a train and rode over the Ohio River to take photos. I remember his kind and gentle soul, his intelligence, and his passion for nature. I am so sorry for your loss.

Goodness, it is with a sad heart that I say goodbye to Hugh.  It's been 35 years, but I can hear his voice and see his hands at work, revealing the utility and beauty in wood hewn from some local tree. Hugh was an original; my deepest sympathies to his loved ones for your loss.
Beth

I was so saddened to hear the news... please accept my sincerest condolences. I loved him with all my heart when we were young and loved him again as we aged. He helped me more than you could know get through a difficult period in my life a year or so ago, and I will be forever grateful to him for his kindness and thoughtfulness. How ironic that the man I knew with the biggest heart would not live because of it. Maybe it was simply too big to last.  Julie Schnell Madden

I want to extend my sympathy and condolences to the Burns family
on Hugh's passing.  Hugh and I go back to our days at OU and many
good times at Happy Hills and at Bowerstown.  Our friendship stood the 
test of time, as all good friendships should.  Hugh was the kind of guy that
even if we didn't talk for several months, we would pick up where we left
off when we spoke or got together!  Hugh was kind, caring, dependable,
hard working, and interested in so many things.  He was supportive and 
nonjudgemental, though he did tell me that I dwelled on the past too much!
I will miss Hugh and the good times we shared.  He was one of my best 
friends.  I am saddened greatly by his passing.
My wife Jocelyn and I send our love and prayers to all the members
of the Burns family.
John Stickle (Stick)

OBITUARY

Hugh K. Burns

February 2, 1955 – January 2, 2013

Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home

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