Obituary Overview
Burnside, Robert Arnold
March 18, 1933 – November 24, 2018
After a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease, Heart Disease and Dementia Bob passed away peacefully at his home in Kingston. Beloved by his late wife of 54 years, Doris Emma Burnside (nee Peters), Devoted father of Janet (Colin Kelly), Jillian (Don Bradley) and Jay Joyce (Michelle Marshall). Proud grandfather of Jeffrey Prozeller (Brianna Dwornik), Jennifer Watts (nee Prozeller, David Watts) and Nichola Burnside-Marshall. Bob was predeceased by his sister Denise Blakely. Much loved uncle of many nieces and nephews. Bob graduated from Queen’s University, Science ‘56, Chemical Engineering and had a 32 year career with Esso Chemical and Imperial Oil attaining the rank of Vice President. Upon retirement in 1988, Bob returned to Kingston and his alma mater to assume the role of Associate to the Principal of Queen’s University, a position he held for seven years. During his time at Queen’s Bob was instrumental in the establishment and reorganization of the planning giving and advancement department at Queen’s. Bob was the recipient of the Queen’s Distinguished Service Award, Queen’s Padre Laverty Award, Queen’s Herb Hamilton Award and Rotary Paul Harris Award. Bob had a long history of active volunteerism, serving as President of Queen’s Alumni Association, Princess Street United Church in leadership positions, a dedicated Rotarian, chaired the Engineering Advisory Council at Queen’s, served on the Board at KGH, was involved with Kingston Economic Development and the Chamber of Commerce. Bob was a dedicated philanthropist, giving $1,000,000 donation to the Queen’s University Innovation program in 2011 along with other significant gifts to the causes dear to his heart at Queen’s and within the Kingston community. Bob was nominated, in 2014, for the Philanthropist of the Year. Bob was known, loved and respected within his community of friends and family. Bob was above all else loyal and a man of his word. Bob had a great sense of humour and had knack for making even the toughest challenges seem doable. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Science ‘56 Entrance Bursary Fund at Queen’s University or Princess Street United Church. The family will be forever grateful for the care provided to Bob by our care team, Don, Amanda, Justin, Aimee, Lisa, Chris and Michele. The team was instrumental in ensuring Bob’s quality of life and enabled him to remain in his own home – there are no words to express our thanks.
Friends will be received at the Robert J. Reid & Sons “The Chapel on the Corner”, 309 Johnson Street, Kingston from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27th. The Funeral Service will be held at Princess Street Untied Church, 484 Albert Street, Kingston on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Robert J. Reid & Sons Funeral Home “The Chapel on the Corner”, 309 Johnson Street, Kingston 613-548-7973.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert A Burnside 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Kingston, Province: Ontario