Richard Burns
April 10, 1951 ~ November 30, 2013
Richard “Rich” Burns, 62, of Lake Ida, MN and Fargo, ND, died Saturday, November 30, 2013 in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Rich was born in Philip, SD on April 10, 1951. Son of Donald and Shirley (Bever) Burns. He graduated from Philip High School in 1969. He married Sheila Douglas in June 1991. Rich lived in Fargo from 1969 until April 2013 when he and Sheila made their home on Lake Ida, MN.
Rich graduated from NDSU with a degree in Architecture in 1974. He was a licensed architect and contractor in many states.
After college Rich started his own architectural firm, Richard Burns Associates, which he worked at until his illness. Rich was a true entrepreneur. He had many other business ventures. He was a developer. He and his partner developed Rose Creek and also many projects in the Walker, MN area. He was a talented and artistic man. He designed many beautiful homes including his home on Lake Ida.
Rich was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Fargo. He was involved in many bible studies and cooked breakfast for their men’s group. He served on the church council for many years and also was council president. He had been a member of the Fargo Kiwanis Club. He served on the Fargo Planning Commission many years. Rich was a very adventurous person. He flew small planes and hot air balloons. He along with friends flew a balloon across Australia in the Trans Australia Ballooning Challenge. He climbed Machu Pichu in Peru. Rich was an avid NDSU Bison football fan. He loved to fish off the dock at the lake. He laughed easily and was always willing to help others. Most of all he had a love for God and his family. We will all miss him dearly.
Rich is survived by his wife, Sheila; son, Tom (Julie) Jarvis, Bloomington, MN; daughters, Katie (Chris) Kringstad, Fargo, ND, and Richelle Burns, Fargo, ND. Two grandchildren, Sydney and Christina Kringstad, Fargo, ND; Brother Donald (Kerry) Burns, Philip, SD; sisters, Kayleen (James) Anderson, Pierre, SD and Sheryl (Gene) Michael, Philip, SD. Also, many nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Columbarium Fund, 619 Broadway, Fargo, ND 58102.
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Fargo ND
I was so sad to see the obituary of Rich Burns. I went on a mission trip 6? years ago with First Lutheran and met him. He was in a small group that I was in with him and that is how I got to know him. He was such a humble man with great faith. He left such an impression on me. I am sure he touched a many lives and your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Fargo ND
I was so sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. We were good friends at the Lutheran Center at ND
SU. Have lost touch over the years, but I’ll always remember him as a wonderful friend.
Dilworth MN
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family at this difficult time.
Steve & Val
Fargo North Dakota
Sheila , I am so very/very sad to hear of your husbands passing. You truely have been in my Thoughts/PRAYERS for a while now & esp. this past week.
No more suffering for “”RICH””.
I want you to know that you will get through this time of sorrow with your faith/family/friends also. Hold on very tight to the Memories of him.
God Bless you all in your time of sorrow.
Sarasota Florida
Rich was without a doubt one of the nicest, kindest, all-round good guys I’ve ever known.
I’ll never forget his laugh. Nor will I forget running into him in Akumal, Mexico!! He’d been on a mission trip in the area.
My kids and friends know I’ve worn for years, and still wear, the red trans-continental Australia balloon jacket at my lake cottage. When I go back next Spring it will be the first thing I put on … in honor of Rich Burns.
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.
Michelle Sletten
Fargo ND
Rich was a wonderful person to know and with whom to work. He will be missed in many ways. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. Ron
Dawson MN
While I also have not had the pleasure of meeting Richard, I have had the lovely pleasure of meeting his beautiful and kind daughter Richelle. Richelle is my daughter’s roommate and I cannot thank her enough for her kind heart. I know that all the wonderful words that have been expressed about Richard have been the gift he has given to his daughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and may you find comfort in his loving memory.
Fargo ND
Sheila,
I was so sorry to read about your husband’s death. Please know you and your family are in my prayers.
Your old Jaycee friend,
Cheryl Hager
To the Burns family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I met Rich through architecture classes in the early 1970s at ND
SU. Our lives have crossed many times since. He always had such a positive attitude on everything. I remember crewing for him (hot air ballooning) once when someone threw a dime into a field and challenged him to land on it. Sure enough, he stopped on a dime. He’ll be missed by many.
Moorhead MN
I never had the pleasure to meet Richard, it seems he touched the lives of so many in his lifetime. Sheila you & your family are in our thoughts & prayer’s. We know that Richard will be well taken care of in heaven, until the day you see him again. May God send you all comfort & peace. God Bless Deb & Greg Seurer
CaliforniaI have many fond memories of childhood summers with the Burns in Philip and at the cabin. Richard was the quiet one, yet always part of the fun. Although miles and time have separated us, Richard’s presence was always part of my life.
Lakeville MN
We were jolted and saddened when we learned of Rich’s passing. We came to know Rich when we were all active members at the University Lutheran Center at ND
SU, where he served as a deacon. He was more than a leader, he was an inspiration. While we hadn’t kept in touch much since those college days, it is no surprise to hear of his many accomplishments professionally and personally, and of his love for God and family. To all his family and many friends we offer our heart-felt condolences and want you to know that even with the passing of many years and many miles, we too feel the gifts Rich possessed, the gifts he shared, and the gifts that have become timeless. Peace.
Rapid City SDI am that nephew that my former professor Steve Martens mentioned in his post.
When I was in 5th grade, I decided that I was going to be an architect – not because I knew what an architect was, but because my uncle Rich was one. When I arrived at ND
SU, Rich helped me move into my first dorm, gave me a job and mentored me through my college years. While he wasn’t always the easiest person to work for (or I wasn’t the easiest person to employ), he helped teach me responsibility and how to be a professional.
I will always cherish my memory of the balloon ride he took me on over the Peace Gardens.
When my personal life was turned upside down by the news that I was going to be a dad, and I felt I wasn’t ready for it, he promised me that it was going to be a good thing….He was right!
I love you Rich, and I’m so glad I got the chance to tell you that before it was too late.
Fargo ND
We’ll all miss Rich’s cheerful smile, and we’ll miss seeing him at Redhawks games. He was so generous in offering me my first wonderful balloon ride, and I’ll always be impressed by his great Macchu Pichu. Having known Rich since his college days, I know how proud he was to encourage his nephew’s interest in architecture, and how proud and happy he was with his family. You are all in our thoughts and our hearts at your time of loss. Rich was universally liked and respected. Thanks you for sharing him with so many longtime friends. Treasure those wonderful memories.
Rich is a wonderful man and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have worked with him for the years I did. When I left RBA to move to Bismarck, ND
I left a great mentor. Thank you for all you’ve taught me.
Fargo ND
Rich will be missed as not only a nice guy but a leader for Fargo in the design and planning/development areas.
Many appreciate what he did to create Rose Creek, and other architecture wonders in the community.
Also he was very friendly in the business world as he got things done.
Thank you Rich, and from the many will enjoy your creations and your quiet way to make friends, create buildings and environments as you led us all. We will all miss him.
Jeff
Red Lodge MTWhat shock to me out here in Montana. A great friend and fellow builder. Just one the THEE super people ever. I will so miss you my friend!!!!
Castle rock CoOur thoughts and prayers are with the burns family
So sorry to read about Dick.
Rich was the only pilot who could land his balloon on the trailer.