Bob was born June 21, 1930, in Paterson, NJ to Howard E. & Helen (Matthews) Burr. He married JoAnn Taggart in Ames , IA on July 1, 1953. They divorced in 1963. There were no children of the marriage. His life from 1964 to 2004 was deeply enriched by his significant other, Lucy Sommerfield, until her death in 2004.
He received his B.S. degree in chemistry from Rutgers University in 1952, and his M.S. in chemistry from Iowa State University in 1955. He was an instructor in chemistry at Bradley University from 1955-1961, and a chemist at Peoria's USDA Lab from 1962-1988.
Bob's two abiding interests were barbershop style singing, and the world's greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes.
He donated his body to medical science. There will be no visitation, funeral, or memorial service.
Memorials may be made to Peoria's South Side Mission, the Salvation Army, or Peoria Rescue Ministries.
Please visit Bob's story at www.davison-fulton.com.
