Robert Lester “Bob” Burns, 78, died July 21, 2023, surrounded by family, at his home in Wichita. He was born July 12, 1945, in Wichita, to John Raymond Horney and Bertha Naomi (Cavanee) Burns.
Bob graduated from Wichita East High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University. He worked in law enforcement most of his life, retiring from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department after 27 years. Bob was a charter member of Wichita, Kansas FOP Lodge #5 and the “Blue Knights”. He enjoyed basketball, riding his motorcycle, and woodworking. Bob was a huge Green Bay Packers fan. He never missed a game dressed with his cheese head, cheese tie, and Nelson jersey. Above all though, he was his family’s greatest fan; Bob loved his family unconditionally. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren always knew Papa would be there for them, in both the peaks and valleys of life.
On July 23, 1977, he married Sharon Reese, in Wichita.
Bob is survived by: his wife of 46 years, Sharon; children, Kristina Reed (Matthew), Kimberly Jill Diehm, and Robert Michael Burns (Sarah); grandchildren, Amanda Bolain (Greg), Emily Herrera (Fernando), Victoria Arenas (Jason), Cody Burns, Payton Burns (Kyli), Hayley Burns, Sydney Burns, Maxx Diehn, Adrianna Mains, Alex Mains (Jordan), and Michael Mains; great-grandchildren, Collin Bolain, Liberty Bolain, Everly Bolain, Talyn Jamieson, Joseph Herrera, Jazlynn Herrera, Jenavieve Herrera, Aspen Herrera, Hudson Arenas, Brooklyn Achilles, Jameson Mains, Jacy Mains, and Beckett Burns; bonus sons and daughters, Mark Mains, Dennis Sanders, David Spencer, and Erica Scofield; siblings, John Horney (Eva), Connie Crow (Fred), and Susan Burdick (Jerry); nieces and nephews, Rachel Swartz (John), Josh Burdick (Celestina), Tammy Cook (Ryan), Robin Dodson (Alan), Lori Wheatley (Gary), M’tika Heibel, John Williams, and Scott Williams.
He was preceded in death by: his mother, Naomi Kelsey; his father, Raymond Horney; stepfather, Dennis Kelsey; sister, Margaret Kelsey; bonus grandson, Karson Becker; stepbrothers, David Kelsey, John Kelsey; and stepsisters, Norma Baumgardner, Corrine Young, and Arline Duke.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. There will be a come and go gathering of friends and family from 5pm-7pm Thursday at the home of Bob and Sharon in Wichita. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.
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Memorials are suggested to The Honore Adversis Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. This Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) that provides timely and critical financial assistance or services for those in good standing with the Fraternal Order of Police, Wichita, Lodge #5. All money goes directly to officers and/or their families who meet the mission statement criteria. To learn more about the foundation, please visit http://www.honorduringadversity.org/.