Clinton, Iowa - Robert D. "Bob" Burns, Jr., age 85 of Clinton, Iowa, passed away Sunday Nov. 9, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held on Friday 10:30 a.m. at the Pape Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Thursday 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Joel Atkinson, Frederick Roling, Ryan Winkler, Jeff Chapman, Jim Sowle, and Andy Ebensberger. Honorary Pallbearers will be current and past Clinton Firefighters. Online condolences may be left at papefh.com

Bob was born on June 23, 1940, in Clinton the son of Robert and Dorathy (Schafer) Burns, Sr. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1958. He served in the US Air Force from 1960-1964 at the rank of Airman First Class. He married the love of his life, Karen Dierks on Oct. 20, 1962, in Clinton. Bob served on the Clinton Fire Department from 1966 until his retirement in 1996. Upon his retirement, he was the rank of Assistant Chief Fire Marshal. Following his retirement, he became a certified Fire Investigator, a role he served from 1996-2009.

When he was not at the fire station, you could find him building homes or officiating one of six sports. For his years of exemplary officiating, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994. He also was inducted into the IHSAA Officials Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also recognized as Iowa's Umpire of the Year by the IHSBCA in 1986. Bob served in the community in a variety of ways, including volunteering at the Clinton County Courthouse and CERT.

He was a proud member of the Lion's Club, Clinton American Legion Post 190, Clinton AMVETS Post 28, and the Iowa Association of Arson Investigators, where he served as President for 4 years. He was a dedicated blood donor, where he donated over 18 gallons of blood in his lifetime. Posthumously, he was able to donate tissue to the Iowa Donor Network. In 2013, he was awarded the Clinton County Liberty Bell. In his spare time, he spent days doing two of his favorite things; working in his woodshop and spending time with his granddaughters.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Karen Burns of Clinton, Iowa; his daughter, Nancy Burns of Camanche, Iowa; his son, Ross (Vicki) Burns of Clinton, Iowa; his two granddaughters, Samantha (Kyle) Kenworthy and Rachel Burns. Bob is preceded in death by his parents.