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Prayers and deepest sympathy to Dave´s family. Dave and I first met at Ft Bragg, NC while assigned to the same platoon at ROTC summer camp our junior year in college 1974. From different universities, upon graduation we both were commissioned as Medical Setvice Corps officers in the U.S. Army. Over the years, our career paths crossed, culminating in our final Army assignment together. Dave´s life was guided by his heart to serve others. May he rest in peace.
Jim Solomon
Larry E Campbell
Dave and I were stationed together at Fort Carson. We became good friends and he was always a quick witty guy with a great sense of humor. Love Dave! Rest in peace my fellow comrade and friend.
Lisa Chisholm
Always a kind hearted and caring human!
Chris Amaker
It was truly a great leader. I ran into him at my first duty assignment as an Army officer. I was very lucky to him to look up to.
P.X. Navin
Dave will be remembered for all the laughs we had, our strategy development to single handily fix all the problems in BIG Army. A true friend throughout our careers. This world will miss this great man. Prayers and condolences to the families. RIP Dave and a beer will be held high in your honor. God Bless
Ian Thompson
I was incredibly lucky to have spent my entire childhood just a 10-minute drive away from the Burns in Northern Virginia. Big David and I were each other's favorite uncle and nephew—a long-running joke he shared with me and my siblings, since he was our only uncle in Northern Virginia! He always enjoyed that joke even more when we gathered at the Burns for family holidays and celebrations. Whether it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or birthdays, one thing Big David was known for was his blessing before every meal. He had a way of uniting a room, whether through humor or prayer. While I would much rather be sharing thanks with Big David at the next holiday, it is now my turn to give thanks for his formative presence in my life. I am grateful for his humor, advice, jovial personality, and so much more. He often attended my sporting events and other activities. Through 16 years of swimming, he gave me only one piece of advice: "Don't breathe on the turns!" One of my favorite memories is from May 2017. At the end of my first year of college, Big David and I spent four days in North Carolina, driving the BBQ trail from west to east—four days of nothing but BBQ, beer, and visiting local parks and museums. I honestly don't remember which restaurant or beer was the best, but I do know the best part was simply the time on the road with MFUINVA. While words are all I have, they cannot truly express how much I will miss you!
John Fravel
After reading the mamy codolences it hard to repress anything more. I SERVED WITH Dave in the 4th Engineer Battalikn, at Ft Carson, Co. And I most remember hkm as someone with a positive spin on everything. Always up beat. But al.ways a true professional. I will truely miss Mr Vice, the battalion offkcers dinning in n man in charge of the mess. He will be truely missed
Ray & Patti Mason
We first met Dave and Barbara in 1981 in Germany when we were both serving there as Soldiers. From the very first moment I spoke with Dave I knew we would be good friends (which I know is true of so many of you); a friendship that has lasted 44 years! We traveled all over Germany and Europe; to include riding in his car we affectionally called 'The Goose' because of the strange noises coming from the glove compartment! Nearly every Friday night we would all go to the local restaurant (Zum Neu Baum) for schnitzel and a beer (perhaps several beers). Dave used his usual charm to get us into the Kegelbahn (bowling alley) in the basement of the restaurant; we were the first Americans invited there, but that was so typical of Dave’s way that ‘everybody was his friend’. We played Rugby together for the 3d Armored Division team; Dave was a superb player, even getting an invite to try-out for the American National Team, the Eagles. While Dave and I never served in the same unit together, I was always impressed with his Soldier focus and his brilliant common sense. In 1999, Dave and I were selected to serve on the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Transition team, where I witnessed Dave express his well thought out recommendations for how our Army could better support Soldiers and Army Families. Dave always stated his opinion, even if that opinion was not held by the majority; Dave firmly stood up for what was right no matter the personal or career risk! In the mid-90s Dave deployed his Battalion (47th Combat Support Battalion) to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy; I was serving on the Army staff in the Pentagon Operations Center, and I recall the senior Army leadership remarking about how awesome the support was for troops in Haiti. I knew it was Dave’s Battalion they were speaking of, and I was so proud of my friend Dave and his outstanding leadership. The main reason Patti and I moved to Amelia Island was to be close to our friends the Burns. Over the past year Dave and I shared many a good laugh and reminisced about our Army experiences; I will so miss our conversations and especially his quick wit (his ‘Dad’ jokes were so bad that they were actually the best). Each of us are better for having had the distinct honor and pleasure of knowing, Dave Burns, my forever Battle Buddy. Patti, Nick, Sarah and I will miss Dave forever.
Barbara Weaverling
Doug Barton
Dave was a singularly talented officer whose ethics and performance standards were admired by all. Dave had the unique ability to make complex issues simple and find humor in the toughest of circumstances. He will be missed by all who were fortunate to have served with him. Even more by those lucky enough to be his friend.
Kathy
....We loved you dearly and our will miss all that is you, "big" Dave, the man who was truly larger than life.
Kathy Liesfeld
We met at age17--- a mere 54 years ago---and from that point on, you were part of our family. You became my "other" older brother ( by just 16 days) , my parents' extra son when your family was stationed overseas, a regular in the many antics at Fort Eustis in our late teen years, and eventually my beloved brother in law, my sister Barbara's husband. While she "sometimes" was annoyed by our irreverent and nonsensical jokes and banter, she knew I could ALWAYS rely on you for good advice, witty conversation, and great company. I trusted you to help me guide my own two sons as we built countless memories of taking the gang of cousins on many outings
Casey
I still can't believe my “favorite Uncle” has left us too soon. I'm so grateful to have grown up just a few miles away from you nearly my whole childhood life. You were the life of every party, every family gathering, and even when you dropped by just to say hi and check out our snack cabinet--you brightened up the day. Whenever you made one of your surprise visits, my siblings and I would stop whatever we were doing—Uncle David is here! We were so happy to see you and ready to laugh for the jokes to come. Your wit and sense of humor were truly like no other! I remember when you came to pick me up from college campus to go to the “Run for the Hills 10k” in honor of your mom. On the phone you kept saying that you were parked right by Burns Lane. I insisted you were kidding, there was no way you managed to park by a street that had your last name. But there you were, parked right below the sign that read Burns Lane, smiling and waving at me. I didn’t believe it until I saw it, and we still laughed about that time for years after. In addition to your fun side, we all felt your supportive, ever-present family man side. You cheered for us at swim meets and games, you inspired us with your own sports career. I remember you running to Stratford pool at the end of a swim practice. sharing your mile splits, and I thought, I want to run like that one day. You accompanied me to a father-daughter dance when my Dad was out of town. You helped me with college applications and shared your knowledge of the many great schools out there (whenever I meet someone who went to Thunderbird, they’re impressed I know about the school!). You took interest in anything and everything we did, and always supported us in our endeavors. You took the time to truly hang out with us, playing board games, walking the dogs, enjoying some of Barbara’s delicious desserts together, scheming funny things (like the poster we made of an alternative Grand Tetons) and just simply taking the time to catch up and learn what we were up to since the last time we saw each other. When you moved to Florida and my family moved as well, I felt a real change was happening because I wouldn’t have family close by anymore. I’m so grateful I got to visit you in Florida a few times, and so happy you got to visit me in Italy and talk to my customers--like always, sharing your curiosity and humor--an entertainer and friend wherever you go! I don’t know if I ever told you this, but whenever I need to share a joke, I always share the one you made up, and it’s a big hit every time: “What do you call models camping? Pretty In Tents.” I credit you every time—my uncle made it up! We felt your love for your family and ours, and I thank you so much for being the best uncle we could ask for. I miss you so much. God love your BIG heart, a big heart you shared with everyone who was fortunate to know you.
Craig Skay
Some of the things I will miss about Dave are watching him, eat not one but two pretzels from Wawa, the smile on his face when drinking a new beer that he discovered, and his bad but sometimes funny jokes that he repeated all of the time. Dave had a heart of gold. Dave wanted nothing from others but would do anything for anyone. You are truly missed my friend.
David "Dave" Craig Burns
2025-01-13
David “Dave” Craig Burns, 71, passed away on January 13, 2025 in his retirement haven of Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Dave was born November 21, 1953, in Frankfurt, Germany, to the late Colonel Doyle and Betty Burns. As a child, Dave lived across the country, from Staten Island, New York to Fairbanks, Alaska, eventually reaching all 50 states in his lifetime. Dave attended the University of Richmond (Class of 1975) where he participated in Army ROTC and earned his commission in the United States Army.
Dave proudly served 30 years in the United States Army as an Officer with the Medical Service Corps. Dave served many roles, highlighted by his time with the 4th Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and as Commander of the 47th Combat Support Battalion at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Dave retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel in 2005 after which he continued his career in support of the military in a civilian capacity.
Dave was known for his commitment to service and the people around him – his family, his friends, his neighbors, and his broader military and local communities. Those who knew Dave remember him for his caring nature and unwavering desire and willingness to listen, help, look after, and mentor those with whom he crossed paths. With his warm and friendly nature, Dave always strived to make the world a better place, felt mostly through his propensity for quick wit and a good laugh.
An avid rugby player and runner earlier in life, Dave took to photography, walking with his two beloved dogs, Ellie and Ruby, and volunteering at the Jacksonville Zoo during his retirement.
Dave is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Burns; his three children, daughter LCDR (USN-Ret.) Christine Burns of San Diego, CA, daughter Rebecca Burns and her husband Abhishek Singhal of New York, NY, and son David Burns II of Arlington, VA; his three grandsons, Griffin of San Diego, CA, and Virhaan and Rhoneev of New York, NY; his sister Vanessa Burns of Aylett, VA; and his many beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
Rather than flowers, the family requests donations in Dave’s name and memory to Conserve Nassau (conservenassau.org), which helps support Egan’s Creek Greenway, a favorite spot of Dave’s for wildlife photography and dog walking.
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