Robert J. Burns, 85, of East Stroudsburg, PA, formerly of Hope, NJ, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2011 at the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Hackettstown, NJ. Born on June 22, 1925 in Morristown, NJ, he was the son of the late John J. and Alta Pruden Burns. Mr. Burns was a conservation officer for the State of New Jersey for over 27 years before retiring in 1984. He was a 1943 graduate of Dover High School and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a staff sergeant in the 15th Air Force, 774th Bombardment Squadron during WWII. Mr. Burns was a member of the united Methodist Church, Lyons Club and V.F.W. all in Hillsville, VA. He was also a Free and Accepted Mason. He was an avid outdoorsman and a beekeeper, but his greatest joy was his family. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Ruth Hicks Burns; a son, Robert J. Burns Jr. and his wife Laurie; three daughters, Deborah James and her husband Thomas, Lori Ceasar and her husband Eric, and Sharon Feldberg; nine grandchildren, Daniel and John Burns, Thomas J. and Kevin James, Kelly Allen, Shana and Eric Jr. Ceasar, Jill Webb and Peter Gerrity; three great-grandchildren. Contributions may be sent in his memory to the Knowlton United Methodist Church, 509 Rt. 94, Columbia, NJ 07832. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Robert Burns. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.