The Tucson community has lost a special individual who dedicated his life to education in comparative religions and bridging barriers that often divide through enhancing religious literacy and interreligious understanding.

Robert A. Burns, O.P., Ph.D., passed away on June 6, 2022. A University of Arizona Associate Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies in the College of Humanities, he founded the Religious Studies Program shortly after his arrival at the university in 1971, and he served as chair of the program until 2011. He retired in 2016, after 45 years on the faculty at the University of Arizona.

Fr. Burns was born in Oak Park, IL, on September 9, 1934, to Harold and Veronica Curran Burns, one of four children. After graduating from college, he was faced with the choices of law school, a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, or becoming a priest. Though his father told him that "you can always become a priest, but how often does someone get a contract with the White Sox," he took a path that he later recalled surprised even him – he decided to become a Dominican priest. Later in life, he was quoted as saying, "It is just one of those things. You know what you were meant to do, you always knew." He entered the Dominican novitiate in 1957, professed his first vows as a Dominican on August 31, 1958, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1961. He earned a Master's in Philosophy from the Aquinas Institute School of Philosophy (River Forest, Illinois) in 1958 and a Master's in Theology from the Aquinas Institute School of Theology (Dubuque, Iowa) in 1962. In 1998, Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP, Master of the Dominican Order, conferred the title of Master of Sacred Theology on Fr. Burns.

In 1971, Professor Burns earned a PhD from the University of Iowa in Ecumenical Theology, with a primary focus on Protestant Theology and a minor in Catholic Theology, at a time when few Catholic priests were emphasizing the similarities found within Christianity instead of highlighting the differences. His publications included four books: Roman Catholicism: Yesterday and Today (Loyola University Press); Roman Catholicism after Vatican II (Georgetown University Press); Catholic Spirituality and Prayer in the Secular City (University Press of America); and Christianity, Islam, and the West (University Press of America).

During his 45 years teaching at the University of Arizona, Professor Burns taught more than 20,000 students in his popular courses on comparative religions, Christian literature, and Catholic thought. With an abundance of humor, generosity, and wisdom, he left a profound and indelible mark on the lives of countless undergraduate students. When asked while walking on campus one morning, "Have you found Jesus yet?", his playful reply was, "Son, I haven't even found my first cup of coffee yet!" He was a recipient of the Five Star Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and several other awards, including membership of the University of Arizona Hall of Fame.

Fr. Bob, as he was affectionally known by many, was also an active educator in the larger Tucson community, regularly giving Sunday homilies at many churches as well as talks on interreligious dialogue and the history, literature, and diverse cultural expressions of Catholicism and other global religions.

Today the Department of Religious Studies and Classics at the University of Arizona continues his legacy with the Robert A. Burns Endowment for Religious Studies, which supports the annual Robert A. Burns Lecture Series and other educational outreach promoting understanding of religious diversity.

The Religious Studies program in the department continues to thrive, with 12 faculty members, including faculty experts in Hinduism and other global religions originating in South Asia; Buddhism in Asia and the Americas; Judaism and Judaic Studies; Catholicism, Protestantism, and other forms of Christianity; Native American Religious Traditions; Ancient Mediterranean Religions; and faculty affiliates specializing in Islamic Studies. An additional departmental strength includes Religious Studies for Health Professionals.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are encouraged. In honor of Professor Burns as a faculty member at the University of Arizona, you may make a donation in his memory to the Robert A. Burns Endowment at https://religion.arizona.edu/give or contact Professor Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu . If you would prefer to send a check, checks should be made payable to "UA Foundation/Department of Religious Studies" and can be mailed to:

The University of Arizona

Attn: Development Office
College of Humanities
P.O. Box 210067
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0067

Those who were touched by his ministry may make a donation in memory of Fr. Bob Burns to:

Southern Dominican Province
PO Box 8129
New Orleans, LA 70182
www.opsouth.org

Fr. Burns is survived by his brother Richard (wife Carol ) and many loving nieces & nephews and their families: Colleen Costello Rauen, Robert Burns Costello, Brian Costello, Sean Costello, Steve Burns, Sheila Burns Reilly, Dennis Burns, Maureen Burns Karsten, Jenny Burns Oliaro, and Tim Burns. He was predeceased by his brother Harold Burns (Jan), and his sister Nancy (Kevin Costello). He was also much loved by friends around the country who first met him while he served as a Catholic priest at the Newman Centers at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and the Newman Center at the University of Arizona. These friendships remained throughout the years as friends became like family. He will be greatly missed.

The Mass Celebration of Fr. Bob's life and ministry will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 10:00am at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center, 1615 East Second Street, on the main campus of the University of Arizona, Tucson. All are welcome. A reception will immediately follow downstairs at the Newman Center.