Nov. 3, 1927 - Feb. 5, 2010SOUTH BEND - Robert Edward Burns, 82, of Sebastian, FL, died Friday, February 5, 2010, at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach, FL. He was born November 3, 1927, in Newark, New Jersey, and had been a resident of Sebastian since 1994, coming from South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Burns was a veteran of WW II, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He received his Ph.D. in History from Harvard Graduate School and his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University, Boston. Mr. Burns was a teaching fellow for three years at Harvard and full professor for 38 years at the University of Notre Dame where he also served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. Mr. Burns was the author of the following books: "Episodes in American History," "Being Catholic, Being American, The Notre Dame Story" Volumes I & II, and "Irish Parliamentary Politics in the Eighteenth Century" Volumes I & II. He was a member of the Notre Dame Club of Vero Beach and American Legion Post 0189, Sebastian. Mr. Burns is survived by his wife of 54 years, Phyllis; daughter, Emily Roeder, and husband, Jim of Appleton, Wisconsin; two sons, Michael Burns and wife, Shirley of South Bend, and Terence Burns and wife, Janet of Cincinnati, Ohio; and grandchildren, Justin Holler and his wife, Samantha, Adam McHenry, Ryan Dreibilbis, Laurel Burns, Ethan Burns, Nicholas Roeder, Anna Roeder and Kathryn Roeder. Mr. Burns was predeceased by his son, Daniel Robert Burns. A private service will be held in Massachusetts at a later date. Donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, in memory of Mr. Burns. Condolences may be sent to www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.