Robert R. Burns, 86, of Long Beach, Wash., died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, in Long Beach, following a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 25, 1921, in Ellensburg, Wash., to Chester and Margaret (Williams) Burns. He was raised in Ellensburg and attended schools there.

After a year in college, he joined the U.S. Army and serving as a radio operator in the Asian Pacific Theater during World War II.

On July 28, 1960, he married Jean Strah. She survives, residing in Long Beach. The couple settled in Seattle, moving to Long Beach permanently in 1995.

After the service, Mr. Burns went to work for the U.S. Postal Service. He worked there for 30 years until retiring in 1981.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Seaview, Wash. He also was a member of the Eagles and Elks lodges.

Family members said he was an avid bowler, and was recently profiled in a Chinook Observer article on senior bowlers. He was an adventurous traveler who also enjoyed traveling in the couple’s RV and restoring his father’s King Touring motorcar, purchased in 1917.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Katherine Miller of Everett, Wash., Francis Burns of Germany, and Earl Burns and Roseane Ballard of Nevada; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A son, Robert Burns, preceded him in death.

A funeral will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday at Penttila’s Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach. Internment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, Wash.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or South Pacific County Humane Society, 330 Second Street N.E., P.O. Box 101, Long Beach, WA 98631.

An online guest book may be signed at www.penttilaschapel.com