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1940 Richard 2020

Richard "Dick" Burns

March 31, 1940 — December 27, 2020

Richard J. “Dick” Burns Sr. age 80 of Aledo, Illinois died Sunday December 27, 2020 at Genesis East in Davenport, Iowa.  A Private Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday December 30, 2020 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Aledo.  There was no visitation.  Burial was in the Aledo Cemetery.  Memorials may be left to the Mercer County Athletic Boosters (https://mercerschools.org/athletic-boosters) or the ALS Association (www.als.org).  Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo is in charge of arrangements and online condolences can be made at fippingerfuneralhome.com.

Dick was born March 31, 1940 in Alexis, IL to Robert and Kathryn Lutrell Burns.  He graduated from Rock Island Alleman High School and attended the University of Iowa.

He married Connie Sue Hunsley May 21, 1960 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rock Island.  She died in 2009.

Athletically, Dick was an elite performer in football, basketball, and baseball. He was one of the great athletes to have come from the Quad Cities. Playing with Alleman High School football program, Dick received First Team All Quad City, First Team All-State honors, and was recognized nationally as a First Team High School All American on both Wigwam and Parade All American teams. Dick was recruited by nearly every major D1 University and finally accepted a scholarship from Forest Evashevski at the University of Iowa. When asked what made Dick a great athlete Coach Evashevski said, “Dick simply thinks a full one to two-tenths seconds ahead of any athlete I ever coached on either offense or defense…And I have coached some great ones.”

Dick spent most of his career in the appliance industry and was recognized nationally as an authority in retail appliance sales, marketing, and management. Dick was a prominent Quad City, Western Illinois, and Iowa businessman with focus on all aspects of the appliance business. His latest venture was with his family in, Burns and Sons Appliances Inc. in Muscatine, Iowa and Burlington, Iowa.

Dick received great joy attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren. He co-founded the Mercer County Athletic Boosters Club, as well as the Bear County Wrestling Club. Both organizations continue to thrive in supporting the youth and high school athletes of Mercer County. And for many years, he continued to belong to Rock Valley Athletic Club where he was a competitive racquetball player.

In his later years Dick was most happy to be around family and to recount stories of the past (in the Papa Dick way that no one can replicate). Above all Papa Dick was a great listener and was truly one of the few people on the planet that had the unique ability to prop up and elevate others; to help them feel better about themselves and their circumstances… to give them hope. This special quality which he possessed endeared him to everyone he encountered and will leave a lasting mark on the hearts and souls of the many, many people that he touched.

Dick’s graciousness, character, and tenacious spirit will live on through the memories of the multitude of individuals that he touched in his beautiful life.

Survivors include 1 daughter, Stephanie (Jim) McIntosh of Aledo, IL, 2 sons, Joe (Kris) Burns of Muscatine, IA, John (Angie) Burns of Aledo, IL, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 2 brothers, Robert (Shirley) Burns of Bonita Springs, FL, Thomas (Donna) Burns of Gainesville, VA., several nieces and nephews.

Dick’s parents, Robert and Kathryn, his wife, Connie Sue, 1 grandson, Yancy and 2 brothers, William and Jack preceded him in death.

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