Robert Kenneth Burns died at home April 14, 2019 with family by his side. Bob was born September 5, 1937 in Helena to Kenneth R. and Dorothy (Gonser) Burns. He grew up in Wolf Creek working with his family running the Wolf Creek store and on their chicken farm supplying eggs and fryers to the Helena Valley.
When not helping his folks, he was exploring the Wolf Creek canyon with friends; camping, fishing, and even trying to swim a horse across the Missouri River. The horse survived, and Bob went on to graduate from Cascade High School.
Life really began in January 1961 when he met Bobcat cheerleader and future bride Billie Jean Applegate while attending Montana State University. They were engaged April 12 and married September 16 the same year. Bob graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts in 1962.
The pair then moved to Helena and were blessed with three children as spirited as their dad. Bob and BJ raised Rowdy, Brad, and Jodi on a place off Glass Drive. They kept dogs, horses, sheep, hogs, and cows and spent summers irrigating, haying, and sharing their home with family and friends. Many good times were also had at Seeley Lake.
After working 17 years at Mountain Bell, Bob changed careers so he could take time off to watch his kids participate in various activities. Football, gymnastics, track, rodeo, it didn’t matter, he never missed an event. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
Bob worked at Farm Bureau Insurance and Insurance Inc. before starting his own agency, Bob Burns Insurance. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Muzzle Loading Club, noxious weed boards of Lewis and Clark and Powell counties, and Bobcat Athletic Advisory Board. He also served 40 years on the Livestock Fair Committee.
Bob belonged to Masonic Lodge No. 3 in Helena and later joined Lincoln Lodge No. 157. He was a member of Algeria Shrine and rode his faithful sorrel horse, Spud Chip, in many parades with the mounted patrol.
Bob’s contributions to the community are enduring. He was instrumental in getting the all-weather track at Vigilante Stadium, establishing Agra Forum, and bringing the National High School Rodeo to Helena for the first time. He may be best known for working with kids as a Lewis & Clark County 4-H leader, including camping year-after-year onsite during fair week to be available to help the kids.
Some of Bob’s favorite times were hunting, fishing, haying, and helping neighbors work cattle. He also loved cooking at hunting camp, which meant serving up full meals cooked on an old wood stove.
After 40 years on Glass Drive, Bob and BJ retired to the mountains near Elliston. In retirement he enjoyed wood working and time with family. Nearly weekly, he was treated to BJ’s apple pie. He would wonder out loud how she could make such delicious pie with so little practice and would tell everyone, “Apple pie without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.”
Bob was gradually lost to dementia, but even in his last days he knew the prettiest girl in the room and his children.
Bob leaves behind that prettiest girl, his wife of nearly 58 years, Billie Jean; son Rowdy (Tami) and grandsons Challis Nace and Dakota Singh; son Brad (Charity Watt) and granddaughters Misty (Casey Stevens) and Lindsay (Isaac Clark); daughter Jodi (Mike Roberts) and granddaughters Amanda (Jack Evans) and Allie; great grandchildren Rhys and Ava Clark, Avery Jo Stevens, and Carson Evans; brother-in-law Joe Applegate (Sharon); and a close circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bob is preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Georgia Lynn; and father- and mother-in-law William and May Applegate.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Lewis & Clark County 4-H, 100 W Custer Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds Helena, MT 59602, Powell County 4-H, 409 Missouri Ave., Suite 102 Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, c/o Algeria Shrine Temple, PO Box 4879, Helena, MT 59604. They also suggest enjoying some apple pie with a slice of cheese.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing Street, in Helena. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Please below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Bob.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 24, 2019
First Presbyterian Church
535 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Wednesday April 24, 2019
First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
535 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
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Pat Greany says
My sincere condolences, Bob was a super nice guy with an infectious laugh. I am sorry i won’t be able to attain the services. my thoughts and prayers with all of you.
Pat Greany
Jerry Harkness says
My warmest regards Bob was a great warm hearted guy. It is my privilege to have met and hunted with Bob.
Mac Vosbeck says
Bobby was a very special friend. His years in the mountains with me at McDonough Ranch Outfitters were some of the best times ever! I will always remember his hunting stories, smiles, laugh and sourdough. I already miss his sourdough pancakes and sourdough bread. Bobby I look forward to meeting you again in the high Country with plentiful elk and sourdough pancakes. All my blessings to you and your loving family. Your hunting buddy always, Mac Vosbeck
Al Smith says
Bob was a great cook and friend. My heart is heavy with sorrow. We are greatly deminished as a family.
Rebecca R Wallace says
BJ, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. Please call me if you need anything or just want to get out for a bit. Let’s get together soon.
Bill Hurrell says
My heart felt sympathy to the family and friends of Bobby. I knew him just a little yet the loss is great. He was, is and always will be a legend of times spent in the mountains.
John Ulberg says
Bob was always a lot of fun to shoot muzzleloaders with as a Bear Tooth Mountain Man. He was
a good shot and always a straight shooter. I sure will miss that smile he was so generous with.
My condolences go out to the family of this good man.
Jan Gregson says
BJ and family, we were so so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I will always remember his very kind nature and the twinkle in his eyes each time he teased. We are thinking of you all and know you will find peace in your memories. Our beautiful night sky is one star brighter. Much love , Goose and Jan Gregson
Sharon Applegate Eslick says
BJ, Rowdy, Brad and Jodi – I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I recall so many fun times had at the Burns house and even though I didn’t have any 4-H livestock, you all welcomed me in and made me an “honorary” member. Hold tight to the memories as those are the things we can keep forever. Love and prayers to you and your entire family.
Mary Dolan says
BJ, Rowdy, Brad, Jodi –So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was so helpful and kind in dealing with us in 4-H, and wherever else we met. Our love and prayers are with you.
julie antonietti says
Sending love to Bob’s family. I will always cherish my great memories of my days spent with Bob, BJ and Jodi at their Glass Dr. home. He taught me how to be a bit of a farm/ranch girl! He was an amazing man with the best smile.
Sincerely,
Julie Antonietti
Cam and Sarah McQueary says
We will miss Bob, such a kind and thought man and the best hunting camp cook around! Its an admirable talent to bake pies and perfect a turkey dinner on a wood stove the way he did:) (and the sour dough pancakes). But always with a kind smile and lots of laughs.
Myrlin Schatz says
BJ & Kids
Sorry to hear of the loss of Bob. It was a pleasure to know him and work with him at the 4-H when I was younger.
Rick O’Connell says
BJ and family. Sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We’ll miss his quick wit and infectious smile. Our thoughts are with you.
Rick and Jan
Karen McMillan says
Thinking of you and your family, BJ. You have wonderful memories and they will comfort you during this difficult time.
Gary Popiel says
BJ, Rowdy, Brad, & Jody—-Vicki and I are so sorry for your loss. I was blessed, when Bob left the telephone company, and joined me at Farm Bureau Ins. He took a huge financial risk in doing so, but wanted the time flexibility to watch his kids participate in sports—and that he did—he hardly missed a practice, let alone a game. We had the best of times together—I will always remember the BBQ’s at your home, the gathering at Sealy Lake, and our trip to Florida. Bob was there for me during the toughest days of my life. I could never repay him for all support he gave me, when I lost my daughters. I will picture him wearing a Bobcat hat, his pipe in one hand, and laughing—such a wonderful, happy laugh. God bless you Bob, see you soon, just not yet.
Gary Popiel
Lon and Loretta Carter says
I’ll never forget the great times we had at hunting camp and enjoying the great meals that Bob Burns cooked. Those memories will last forever and will be hard to duplicate. Rowdy, Brady, Jodi and BJ – I am sorry for your loss. We will be thinking of you. God Bless you!
Yvonne Pate says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you BJ, Rowdy, Brad & Jodi. We have such fond memories of Bob. He was genuinely one of a kind. His time was given so generously without a second thought! He will be missed by all who knew him.
Our sincere condolences!
Yvonne & Tex
Ted Mizner says
Dear BJ, Rowdy, Brad, and Jody,
I’m saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. I am of course reminded of that summer of 1972 when Bob and Billie Jean allowed me to bunk at their place while I interned up at the Capitol. I will be forever grateful for your kind contribution to my education. Not only did board and room but I learned quite a lot about life on the farm and we had a lot of fun to boot. Clearly, Bob had a life well lived. Peace be with all of you.
Ted Mizner
Jody Pace says
BJ, Rowdy, Brad & Jodi,
I was so sad to read of Bob’s passing. I loved him and his million dollar smile. May happy memories uphold you as you transition to life without him here among his family. Knowing he now is waiting in heaven for you all to join him is such a blessing. Hugs to all.
Ken Brensdal says
Bob was a really great guy. I have great memories of him standing by and working the scales at the fair grounds every year weighing the livestock. He will be missed.
Marie Lund says
I loved Bob through and through! Always had a smile, twinkle in his rascal eyes and a bear hug to go with them! You will be missed. Marie
Terry Hutton-Smelko says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of such a nice man. He is having fun and sharing stories now with all his buddies who arrived ahead of him. Blessings and grace to you.
Jim and Betsy Phillips says
BJ AND FAMILY
Jim and I are so sorry for your loss. Bob was a great guy and helped so many people throughout his life. He was funny, always had a smile and a story. He will be missed. God Bless and remember the memories you have are precious.
Jean Maclean Snyder says
As Bob’s Chicago cousin, I am grateful to have had so much time with him – particularly the two summers I lived with him and his parents Dottie and Ken in Wolf Creek. I also am grateful to have seen Bob and Dottie and Ken, and later Bob and his wife Billie Jean, and eventually also their kids Rowdy, Brad, and Jodi, at our family cabin in Seeley Lake.
Even last summer Bob and B.J., with their daughter Jodi, traveled up to our Seeley cabin for a short time. Bob was in his cups, but he still managed to sit next to to me on our cabin porch with his arm around my shoulder. Just like old times.
I miss him very much,
Fondly, Cousin Jeano,
That is, Jean Maclean Snyder
Brian & Virginia Horvath says
We are saddened to hear about the passing of Bob and out hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to his family. We met him back in 1990 and no matter how long it had been he always remembered us when we came back to town. He was a wonderful and caring person and I am glad that we had the opportunity to have him in our life.
Tootie Rasmussen says
Bob’s long journey is over. Sincere condolences to the entire Burns family. Old friends are hard to come by and he was one of a kind. Sorry we missed the service.
Tootie and Stan Rasmussen
Robert Nicholson says
We just heard that Bob has passed. We were in the same class at Cascade High School. Please our sincere condolences.