Remembering Bob Burns

One week ago today, the Newport Senior Center lost a faithful board member, Bob Bury.

Bob always knew the right words to say, how to put them in the right place, at the right time and I can only hope that the words you are about to read about Bob will paint a vivid picture, as beautiful as those he painted, of a man who has given so much.

Although we do not know exactly when it all started, we do know that giving to others started at least when Bob served his country so that others could have freedom. That commitment to others continued as he became a member of the Newport Senior Center and later a board member. He never let anyone down and fulfilled every obligation as a member and board member of the center.

Bob was engaged in everything he became involved with. Whether it was helping at a fundraising event or planning a special event like Senior Prom, you knew Bob was going to be there to see it through, even if he stood proudly arm and arm with a mannequin. Bob also committed himself to SCNS each holiday banquet meal to cut the meat and served meals daily until his illness.

Never will you meet a man who more faithfully enjoyed the Newport Senior Center and all that it offers to older generations. While at the center, Bob was a masterful dispenser of good medicine: laughter.

His need to spread laughter was endless. Each holiday, guests of the center waited anxiously to see how Bob is going to celebrate the holiday. Will he be the St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun, or Santa Claus or is he the next busty woman participating in the centers “Saints & Sinners” musical revue? Whatever his character was, you knew it is going to put a smile on your face and made you want to come back again and again.

Bob relished the good things in life. His faithfulness to the center and older individuals was felt when he called bingo every Wednesday or played a round of golf. Bob was not afraid of a friendly competition, especially when he took croquet championship two years in a row or earned high score at senior bowling Some might even say he was “Born to be Wild” when seeing him ride up on his motorcycle.

Bob’s Design Engineering background helped him be influential in designing a state of the art center when we went through our recent reconstruction. Although not feeling well, Bob, being loyal as he was, attended open house and spoke openly about his admiration for the center.

With tears running down his cheek, he spoke proudly of the accomplishment that he knew would change the lives of older adults for years to come. He knew that even if one life will breathe easier because of his involvement, he had succeeded in making a difference in the life of others.

In 2016, Bob was the recipient of the Joseph D. Vaughn award for his numerous hours of volunteer ism at the Newport Senior Center. Here are a few words that were submitted for this award on his behalf.

Bob also has a serious side. Bob goes through great lengths to make every person at the center feel special. Bob creates his own birthday cards for those he knows is celebrating a birthday. Bob’s cards are unique because he takes the time to learn the individual’s strengths that others may not recognize and describes those strengths within the person’s name when wishing him/her a happy birthday.

Because of his gigantic heart, helping hands and desire to help people live a healthy lifestyle full of fun,

Our center has been successful in obtaining sustainability that will ensure every aging individual will have a place to call home for years to come, a place to participate in wellness programs and a place to have fun and for those reasons, we believe

Bob exemplifies the meaning of volunteerism and dedication to his peers.

Although he is gone, we are happy he lived; he came into our lives and we feel fortunate to share part of his life with him.

As long as we live, he too shall live, for he is part of us, as we remember him and share our stories…..

—Brenda Burns