Robert "Bob" Lee Burns Sr.

Bob Burns was born and raised in Philadelphia PA., unbeknownst to him, he always had an interest in building things, or as his mom would say, taking things apart. These talents continued to manifest as he began collecting and building model cars at a young age. Bob enjoyed working with his hands, naturally curious, he continued to build models that were increasingly more difficult than the previous versions, hence his never-ending fascination with fast cars.

Bob learned the value of hard work and independence at an early age. At the age of 13, he held down two part-time jobs, working as a shoeshine kid at Browns Barbershop and delivering ice cream with a local ice cream operator, which paid just $5.00 /day for a 10-hour workday. During his early teenage years, he spent a few summers working for his Uncle Early picking tobacco in Raleigh, North Carolina, where his father was born and raised. This is where he first learned to drive a tractor and realized he didn’t want to do manual labor for the rest of his life. So, he leaned into education. Bob attended an all-boys high school and got serious about his academic future, excelling in his educational endeavors and enrichments. Bob served on the Prom Committee, as photographer for the school newspaper, and was elected Senior Class President. After graduating high school at 17, he got his first “real” job at a car wash. The manager was impressed by his maturity and gave him an opportunity with real responsibility, assistant manager of the car wash.

A year after graduation, Bob married Debbie, who he first met at the age of 12 years old, when Debbie’s father, Mack, owned a corner store at the end of the block where the Burns lived. Mack would drop Debbie off at Mrs. Burns’ (the neighborhood mom) house while he worked the store, which Bob would patronize often. Bob’s sister, Carolyn and Debbie became fast friends and Carolyn would later became Debbie’s maid of honor and Rob Jr’s godmother. Bob thereafter entered the United States Air Force looking for a way to support his wife and young son. During his time in the Air Force, Bob worked in munitions, served as a squad leader and was nominated as Dorm Chief of his Air Force Basic Military Training squadron. After four years, and an honorable discharge as an E-4 Sergeant, he was encouraged by his family to pursue a career in furniture making because of the works he designed during his time in the military.

Upon returning home, Bob was accepted to the University of the Arts, formerly, The Philadelphia College of Art, taking up studies in Woodworking Furniture Design. He realized after his sophomore year that he would struggle to make a decent living for his family as a fine furniture design artist, so he took-up courses in Industrial and Interior Design. Bob worked as a carpenter in college and pursued a career in the construction industry, receiving commissions, on the side, to design and build furniture. This side gig allowed him to pursue his love for woodworking and the arts. As he pursued a career in construction, Bob was aggressive and focused with natural leadership skills. He worked as a carpenter’s helper for just $2/hr, and within three years, because of his highly honed finishing skills, acquired at The University of the Arts, he became a journeyman carpenter. Bob was then promoted to Assistant Superintendent and two years later, promoted to Superintendent. Within just four years of finishing college, he had earned a job as a Project Manager.

Thereafter, Bob attempted his first shot at entrepreneurship when he founded Burns Construction in Philadelphia, in 1987, comprised of a small cabinet shop and carpentry business. Bob’s college professor, Noel Mayo, a renowned Industrial Designer, introduced Bob to the man that would have the most significant impact on his career, a mentor and dear friend, the late Jim Wade. As an early entrepreneur, Bob was commissioned by Jim, to build furniture for his office and was later commissioned to build an addition and renovation of Jim’s home in Philadelphia. Bob was given an impossible deadline, completing what he anticipated to be a 3-month project, in only six weeks. In true form, and with his then 6 year-old daughter in tow, Bob worked seven days a week, day and night to meet his deadline. And he did.

After his biggest business challenge, burnt-out and ready to give up on being a business owner, He moved the family to Stone Mountain Georgia near his sister Carolyn. After burning through savings, no job prospects and ready to return to Philadelphia, Bob got the call that changed everything. Jim Wade offered Bob the opportunity to move his family to Orlando to work for Wade Development, Inc., as a project manager building affordable housing. After a short tenure with Wade, Bob resigned to try his hand at entrepreneurship one more time.

On March 31st, 1994, R L Burns Inc. was founded. In 2001, Bob relocated his office from Contractor's Row at Disney, to the developing Parramore neighborhood just west of downtown Orlando. The new headquarters reaffirmed Bob’s commitment to establishing roots in the Parramore, a historically Black neighborhood rich with African American pride and culture, much like his hometown in Philadelphia.

Fulfilling its commitment, R L Burns provided construction services on many notable Parramore projects including, the Kia Center, Camping World Stadium, The City of Orlando Police Department Headquarters and Crime Scene Lab, the rehabilitation of the Historic Wells’Built Museum of African American History, the development and construction of R L Burns’ corporate office at 1203 W. Gore St., renovation of the Orange Blossom Family Health Center, and the construction of 13 single family affordable homes. R L Burns’ reach expands throughout Central Florida and the state with work on Phases 1 and II of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the completion of Mary Sue Rich Community Center in Ocala, Chambers Park Community Center in Kissimmee, as well as other commercial renovation projects such as Urban Air Adventure Park, and Class A Commercial Tenant Build-outs in Sunrise, Tallahassee, and Tampa, Florida.

R L Burns also served as a continuing vertical contractor for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority completing over 100 projects, including McCoys Restaurant and renovations for Jet Blue, United, Spirit Airlines the Hyatt Hotel, and construction of Terminal C, during the company’s 20 -year tenure at the airport. R L Burns also worked as a continuing contractor for Orange County Public Schools performing notable projects including the West Orange High School Replacement, Lee Middle School, Lake Nona Middle School, Pinar Elementary School, Orlando Tech HVAC Replacement as well as renovations, rehabs and facilities maintenance on over 30 schools and facilities throughout the district. R L Burns also completed K-12 projects for Osceola County, Polk County, and Hillsborough County Public Schools in addition to parks and recreation construction for the City of Orlando, including Lake Eola Park Improvements, Airport Lakes Park, City of Lake Mary Splash Park, Orange County Bomberos Park and Pasco County, Fire Station #17. Additionally, the company worked as an 8(a) contractor and veteran owned business, renovating facilities at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, NAS Jacksonville, MacDill AFB, and Patrick AFB. R L Burns enjoyed 29 years in business, and at its peak, employed over 30 construction professionals with revenues in excess of $30 Million.

In his later years, Bob prioritized giving back to the youth of Orlando by sponsoring the Boy Scouts of America Central Florida Chapter, and the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. Bob served as leader of Scout Reach for the Boy Scouts of America, as well as a Board member of the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission and The Selective Service Board.

Bob received many honors and awards for his work, including, a Golden Brick in 2006, for the Lake Eola Park Improvements, An Eagle Award from the African American Chamber of Commerce in 2007, BBIF Florida Harambee Celebration Abraham Lincoln Lewis Award in 2016, The Business Journals Reader’s Choice: Orlando’s Best in Real Estate and Construction, and was named one of Onyx Magazine’s 2021, Men of Honor.

In his free time, Bob enjoyed cooking pancakes, making homemade ice cream and anything from scratch, international travel, dining at boutique restaurants, listening to jazz on his record player, and the occasional cigar.

When asked about his career in construction and work in the community, Bob stated:

“I have been fortunate to be provided the opportunities presented to me. At this time in my career, it is about developing others and assisting them in achieving their goals and objectives. I am committed to challenge those around me and bring out the very best they have to offer and reach their fullest potential.”

He did so mentoring and guiding countless employees, business owners, colleagues and friends in the greater Orlando community.

Bob is survived by his first love and love for life, Debbie; Son, Robert Jr. “Robbie”; Daughter, Jessie (who he affectionately called Skibo); daughter in-law, Jennifer Vann Burns; Brother, Billy Burns; Sisters-in-law, Judy Seibert-Burns and Carleen Mossett; Sisters Linda “Pat” and Sharon Burns; Nephews James Jones and Stephen Congo; Nieces Carleen “Nikkie” Burns-Dukes, Fatimah Kennedy, Falon Seibert-Burns; Grandsons Brycoy and Christopher Burns and Godson, Zion McIntosh and many cousins.

Bob’s sister Carolyn Congo, survived Bob by eight days. She passed away on April 22, 2026. She too will be sorely missed. Bob was predeceased by his loving parents, William Henry “Bill” Burns and Rosa Lee Burns, and his Grandson, Jaycoy Burns.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following charities below in Robert’s honor.

Livestream links:

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