Robert Lynn Burnham

Robert Lynn Burnham was born July 1, 1939 in Jerome, Idaho to Ruth Ostler Burnham and Lynn Wilden Burnham. Bob graduated from Jerome High School in 1958. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints among the Navajo people from 1960-1962. He then attended college at Utah State in Logan, UT and received his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education.

He met his eternal companion and love of his life, Lorna Law, from Magrath Alberta while also attending Utah State in October 1963. Swooning her with his good looks and guitar serenade of The Twelfth of Never. They married on September 19, 1964 in the Cardston Temple.

Bob accepted a job in Dallas, Oregon as the agriculture teacher at Dallas High and taught there for 27 years when he retired in 1994. They have three children, Becky, married to Elliot Quinton and their children, Elanor and Rosie; Debi, married to Mike Dovenmuehler, and their children, Michale and Jayden (deceased); and Josh, married to Kelsey Smithee, and their children, Emi, Tye, Gwen and Indy. Bob is survived by his wife, Lorna; and sister, LaRene Morley.

Bob served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Bishop, Branch President and many other positions. He helped everyone he could and served the Lord with all his heart and strength. He loved the Lord and showed that love to everyone with his actions and his words.

Bob had many interests, always busy and loving life. He grew an excellent vineyard and pressed home grown grapes into pure delicious juice that he froze and enjoyed with family and friends throughout the years. He loved the Native American history and culture all his life, learning how to tan hides, craft and sow different articles of clothing like moccasins, quivers, gloves, hats. If there was a need that could be met with the use of leather, Bob found a way to make it work.

Unique and useful were his ways. He loved making anything and everything, if it interested Bob he would learn everything he could about it and make it himself. From bows and arrows made from wood he’d harvest, arrow heads from flintknapping the obsidian himself, drums, and shields.

Wood working wasn’t just a passion it was a highly developed skill. His cherished handywork can be seen throughout his and his family’s homes. He helped with and finished two additions to their homes in Dallas, Oregon and Jerome, Idaho. Always willing to make something for his wife and children that they needed. Loving to teach anyone about the skill he had acquired over a lifetime. Bob’s vegetable garden and fruit orchard provided a bounty of tasty food for his family. He loved the outdoors, taking long walks in the desert near his home. He loved the roaming around the desert; its beauty was something that he felt deep in his soul.

Bob had two great loves in his life, his wife Lorna whom he cherished every day and his music. Being self-taught as a teenager to play the guitar, through the years he became an excellent guitarist. In 2004 having moved back to Jerome, Bob and Gary, his brother, started a band called Rimrock. Others have joined and left the group over the years but Bob has been the heart and soul of the group and the songs they performed for the elderly at many Senior Living centers in the valley. The group sang once a week for 21 years. Bob would be heartbroken when they would have to cancel. For the last few years the band has been composed of Bob on the guitar, Dee Haycock and Roger Morley singing and for two wonderful years his son Josh had the privilege and pleasure to join the group playing the guitar alongside his dad. For a short time before Jadie’s death, his granddaughter would sing with the group adding a beautiful soprano and youthfulness to the group. Bob cherished each moment that he had with his granddaughter singing with him. Bob spent countless hours transposing chords and preparing the songs to be sung, truly making the songs he loved his own.

Bob was a true family man. He loved and cherished his wife, his children, the wonderful joyful grandchildren and of course his brothers and sisters. An inspiring joy would come to his face when any of his family would tell him about the things they were up to, the successes they’ve had or the jokes that they would tell. Encouraging and helping them in all their endeavors. He wanted to help them in any way he could, solve a problem or just help them feel the love that he has for them. His family meant the world to him.

Bob and Lorna loved to be together, they truly are best friends and companions. Talking for hours on the sofa or as they drove around. Topics and conversation flowed easily between them; the topic never really mattered it was the company and the conversation with each other that they enjoyed. They loved driving in their beautiful car, just traveling or finding new and interesting places. He is the definition and the model for a loving husband and father.

He was a kind man.

Bob will be so very missed. But through Christ, death is but a moment and he has been and will be reunited with his loved ones past and present.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 25, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 825 E Ave B, Jerome, Idaho. Graveside dedication will conclude at the Jerome Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Bob’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.