Robert Walter Burns , a native of Snohomish County and a longtime Stanwood and Camano Island resident, died Monday, September 29, 2014 after a battle with lung cancer. He was 88.

Born February 25, 1926 in Lakewood, Washington, he graduated from Arlington High School, class of 1945. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1945-46 , including an air search and rescue outfit based at Clark Field in the Philippines. He was an accomplished high school baseball player and lifelong sports enthusiast and outdoorsman. He worked much of his life as a journeyman auto mechanic in Stanwood, Mt. Vernon , Everett and Arlington, and then taught auto and diesel mechanics at Skagit Valley Community College. He retired in 1988. He married Annabelle C. Freberg on May 8, 1948.

He was preceded in death by Annabelle; son-in-law, Richard Knutson and brother, Bert Burns. He is survived by daughters, Barbara Christoferson (Ken) and Deborah Knutson; sons, Robert (Liz) and Roger; brother Bruce Burns (Barbara) ; grandchildren Annaka Garcia (Julian), Erik Christoferson (Erin), Alyssa Fox (Kyle) , Andrew Christoferson , Robert B. Burns (Jenni), Elizabeth A. Burns and Russell Burns. He also is survived by seven great-grandchildren: Halle, Juliah, Drake, Amerann, Quenby, Pike and Madalyn, as well as several nieces and nephews. He enjoyed the companionship of a special friend , Sally Lindberg.

A public viewing at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood, 1-4 p.m., Friday, October 3 , 2014. Funeral services Saturday, October 4, 1 p.m.

Memorials can be made to Providence Hospice of Snohomish County or American Cancer Society. The Family wishes a special thanks to Cascade Companion Care.