Dr. Robert Jean Burch

 A service of remembrance for Dr. Robert Jean Burch, 79, will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM on Friday, October 14th at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street in Lawrence, Kansas. Robert died suddenly on Thursday, October 6th, 2022 in his Lawrence home.

The son of Robert E and Francis Elizabeth Burch, Robert was born on August 18, 1943 in El Centro, California. Robert is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lisa Ann Burch; his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Kent Beltram; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert T and Harmony Danielle Burch; his daughter and son-in-law, Jillian and Adam Bardwell; his grandchildren, Norman and Amanda Davis, Addison and Jack Leonard, Spencer Beltram and Wesley Bardwell; his great grandchildren, Norman Jr, Lea Maree and Lexi;  his brother-in-law Tom Konopka; his nephew, Scott Burch; his nieces, Shelly Blair, Kristy Rogers, and Lindsey Constance.

Robert graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1961 and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas. He was awarded a Fulbright-Hayes scholarship in 1969 for a year-long study at the University of Finland in Helsinki.

Robert earned his PhD from the University of Washington where he became a professor of Soviet Studies. He went on to become Vice President of Marketing for McGraw Hill and President of Sales and Marketing for Hammond Map and Atlas.

Robert will be remembered for his kind and loving spirit, quick-witted sense of humor, and his intellectual and artistic endeavors. He spoke 6 languages and loved traveling the world; his favorite destinations included Italy, England, and Germany. Throughout his travels, Robert photographed places around the world and this beauty lives on through his artwork.

Robert was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching KU basketball, the Kansas City Royals and college football. He enjoyed watching old movies, antiquing and gardening.

Perhaps the best way to describe the life and legacy of Dr. Robert J Burch is through the lyrics of his favorite song, Until We Meet Again, “You painted hearts with colors bright and bold…there’s never been one quite like you.”