Robert Edward Burns, 82, died Feb. 5, 2010, at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach.
He was born in Newark, N.J., and lived in Sebastian since 1994, coming from South Bend, Ind. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Coast Guard.
He received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University and his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University, Boston.
He was a teaching fellow for three years at Harvard and full professor for 38 years at the University of Notre Dame, where he also served as the dean of the College of Arts and Letters.
He was an author and a member of the Notre Dame Club of Vero Beach and the American Legion Post 0189, Sebastian.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Phyllis; daughter, Emily Roeder of Appleton, Wis. sons, Michael Burns of South Bend and Terence Burns of Cincinnati; and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Robert Burns.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A private service will be in Massachusetts at a later date. Arrangements are by Lowther Cremation Service, Vero Beach. A guest book may be signed at lowthercremationservice.com.