Dr. Edward Eugene Burns
April 13, 1926 – February 14, 2017

Edward Burns, 90, of College Station, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, in College Station. A graveside service is scheduled for 2 pm, Sunday, February 19, 2017, in the College Station City Cemetery, 2530, South Texas Ave, College Station. Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers-Bryan/College Station.

Ed was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Glenn and Grace More Burns. Dr. Edward Burns received his degrees, BS (1950), MS (1952), and Ph. D (1956) from Purdue University. He served as an Instructor in Food Science at Purdue and directed the Indiana Federal State Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Service for several years before going to Texas A&M University in 1956. Professor Burns is the author of over one hundred scientific articles and has contributed chapters for several textbooks.

He developed the foods program of the manned spacecraft efforts of NASA throughout the Apollo flights and developmental foods for future space programs. He has been awarded the Institute of Food Technologists’ W.C. Cruess Award as an outstanding teacher of Food Science. Dr. Burns has served as national president of Phi Tau Sigma, the honorary society for food scientists and as a member of the Executive Committees of Institute of Food Technologists and the Texas Food Processors Association. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists and also a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists. Dr. Burns taught many CEOs and other top executives of today’s Fortune 500 Food Industry Companies.

Outside of his professional career, Dr. Burns contributed much to his community along with family. He was the founder of the Boys Scouts here in Brazos County. He was the TAMU Skeet and Trap Faculty Sponsor and the coach of the 1980 United States Olympic Skeet Team. He also served as Chairman of the College Station Zoning & Planning Committee. He contributed to the county serving as Deputy Director of the Brazos County Civil Defense and as a Deputy Sheriff; he felt the call to serve as a Deacon at A&M Presbyterian Church. Edward has contributed over twenty-five years as the Election Precinct Judge in Brazos County. He proudly served our country as a Sailor with the U.S. Navy during WWII.

He is the proud father of his four children who loved and admired him in all Edward would pursue. He was an avid outdoorsman who had a tremendous love for fishing and hunting. It was a guarantee that his meals were completed with dessert without fail. He and his dog Babe had ice cream every night. His intriguing character prompted him in sharing and telling a good “BS” story and was known for mastering pranks that involved rubber snakes. Our present day MacGyver holds nothing to the way Edward could fix anything in his own way that needed to be fixed either correct or SAFE but he could figure something out. His children shared that as much as dad loved us, he loved animals as well and owned various pets throughout his life. Edward as fond of good music and played the trumpet at a point in his life. And to wrap up the greatness of our dad he was an amazing cook. He and his wife, Martha Ann Wolff Burns, celebrated fifty-seven beautiful years of marriage before her passing in 2005. They were married on December 18, 1948, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Preceding Dr. Burns in death are his wife Martha Burns; his parents Glenn and Grace Burns; his sister Marilyn Kimble and her husband Max Kimble; all of Columbia City, Indiana.

Dr. Edward Eugene Burns is survived by his sons Steve “Fritz” Burns, of Bryan and Scott his wife Lisa Burns, of College Station; his daughters Laura and husband Joe Layman, of Waco and Michelle and husband Joe Ping, of College Station; his grandchildren whom he says, “completed his life’s journey” are Teresa Vasser, of Goltry, Ok; Jeff Burns and wife Lina, of Caldwell; Doug Burns and wife Alexa, of College Station; Kelly Ping, Lauren Elias and husband Zach, Katy Ping, all of College Station; his great-grandchildren Heather Heffelfinger, Jude Vasser, Layla Vasser, Vaughn Burns, J.P. Burns, Jacee Kay Oehlert, Blakelynne Burns, Koy Burns, Carlee Elias and Camryn Elias; many nieces and nephews; his faithful companion dog Babe; and host of friends and former students who remained in contact with Dr. Burns throughout his life.

The family wishes to thank Ophelia Rios for the devoted love and care of Ed for the last three years. Also, Trish Green for her kindness and care and finally, Hospice Brazos Valley for their most heartfelt care in the last few weeks of Dr. Edward Burns’ life.

Memorial donations are kindly to be given to the Brazos Valley Humane Society, Hospice Brazos Valley, and or to Ducks Unlimited in Memory of Dr. Edward Burns.

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