Senator Robert Orville Burrows View All Years

ROBERT O. BURROWS

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Robert O. Burrows, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Robert Burrows was born at Pierre, South Dakota, June 20, 1899, the eldest son of O. C. and Debra Burrows. The family lived at Little Rock, Arkansas; St. Louis, Missouri; and Afton, Iowa, prior to moving to Belle Plaine, Iowa, and purchasing The Union there. He was graduated from Belle Plaine Community High School in 1917 and enlisted in the U. S. Army on June 20 of that year. He served with Company A, 109th Engineers in the 34th Division in France, being discharged July 2, 1919.

He was married to Bess Shurtleff on February 2, 1920, at Marion, Iowa, and to them were born two children, Robert and Joan

In addition to working on The Union, he was also advertising manager of daily newspapers at Urbana and Effingham, Illinois, in the early 1930’s.

In 1961 he received the Master Editor-Publisher award of the Iowa Press Association and was named best columnist in Iowa by Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism society in 1962.

He was a member of Christ Methodist Church and was active in many civic organizations as well as Masonic circles. At the time of his death he was worshipful master of Hope Lodge No. 175, A.F. and A.M., Iowa City. He also was a member of St. Bernard Commandery, No. 14KT, Royal Arch Masons, El Kahir Shrine, and Morning Star Chapter No. 108, Order of Eastern Star.

Senator Burrows also held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism society and had been a member of the Benton County Soldiers’ Relief Commission and the Benton County Selective Service Board. He had also served his county as its coroner.

Senator Burrows served his first of two terms in the House of Representatives in the General Assembly in 1951. In the fall of 1962 he was elected to the State Senate and had served during one Extraordinary session and two regular sessions in this legislative body.

Senator Burrows passed away on February 11, 1965 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, after an illness of one day. He was a member of the Republican party and was representing his district in the Sixty-first General Assembly at the time of his death.

In addition to his widow and children, Robert and Joan, he is survived by two grandchildren, Kristine and James, and two brothers, John and Richard, all of Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Senator Burrows enjoyed the esteem and respect of the members of the House and Senate with whom he served.

He had a sincere desire to act with fairness at all times and always had the courage to act in accordance with his convictions.

His passing is a loss to the State of Iowa and his home community.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-first General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable Robert O. Burrows, the State of Iowa has lost a valued and honored citizen, and by this resolution attests its respect for and admiration of him and tenders its sincere sympathy to his family.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and the Secretary be directed to send an enrolled copy to the members of his family.

CHARLES F. BALLOUN, Chairman,

KENNETH BENDA,

J. HENRY LUCKEN,

Committee.

The resolution was unanimously adopted.