
Richard Burns
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"Don" Burns, age 81, passed away December 10, 2021, in Kaufman. Born in Newton, MA, to Donald Burns and Elsie Nichols, and sister, Barbara Johnson, who all preceded him in death. Don played football at Syracuse University; studied Industrial Design, Architecture & Applied Engineering (BFA 1963); and pledged Phi Gamma Delta. Former member of The Rotary Club of Dallas, Stephen Minister at First United Methodist Church in Rockwall, and Becker United Methodist Church. He loved time at their ocean front home on Cape Cod and racing against other yacht clubs. With his best friend and wife of 40 years, Linda, they traveled, sailed, hunted, golfed and took RV trips. He enjoyed retirement on their ranch and time spent in his woodworking shop.
Early on, Don worked at NASA in public outreach where he accompanied the 7 Original Astronauts to international air shows. Worked for Atkins & Merrill and Target Communications on the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, New England Aquarium, Ontario Science Center, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, The National Aquarium, Edison National Historic Park, and Boston Museum of Science. His own firm in Dallas worked on the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry, Ft. Worth Museum of Science & Industry, Franklin Institute Science Museum, National Park Services' Acadian Cultural Centers, State of Texas Sesquicentennial Exhibition in Fair Park, Museum of African-American Life & Culture in Dallas, and Museum of Science & Discovery in Fort Lauderdale. One of his more memorable projects was supporting his wife, then Director of the museum, to transform the former Dallas Health & Science Museum into The Science Place (now Perot Museum of Nature and Science) and came up with its popular name.
In 1996, Don began a 19-year commitment to the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department for which he was recognized for distinguished service in an official 2015 Resolution. He oversaw the design and construction of these projects: Fair Park Interpretative Program; his legacy is firmly established at the Dallas Zoo in the Chimpanzee Exhibit, Front Entry and Lemur Exhibit, Interactive Bird Exhibit, Tiger Exhibit, Carousel, Bug U, Snout Route, Gorilla Holding Building, Lazerte Family Children's Zoo, Phases 1 - 4 of Storm Drainage upgrades, and Zoo Wetlands design; and the Feasibility Study and Master Plan for the Trinity Interpretive Center, The Trinity Equestrian Center, now known as Texas Horse Park, and the development of a burning landfill into the Trinity River Audubon Center, first Gold LEED-rated building constructed by the Park and Recreation Department.
Don is remembered by his wife Linda, consultant for WDG Consulting and Burns Development Group; sons Christopher and Craig and sister Lynne Egan; grandchildren Brandon Egan and Mallory Kunz & husband Kai; Brother-in-law Kenneth Clines & Kerry; nephews Kevin Clines & Nori, Rick Clines, and Seth Clines & Lindsey and children; and his 'best buddy' Jake. A tribute to his life will be held on January 15, 2022, at 11:00 AM, Becker United Methodist Church, 7901 CR 4030, Kaufman, TX 75142, followed by lunch. Contributions may be made in his honor to panfoundation.org.
