Traverse City – Robert "Bob" Carey Burian, 77 of Traverse City passed away Feb 2, 2017 surrounded by family.

Bob was born on May 10, 1939 in Flint to the late Anthony and Margaret Pauline (Walker) Burian.

Bob earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Michigan University in Commerce. Before moving to Traverse City, Bob was a forest firefighter in Idaho and a disc jockey in Washington DC. Here in Traverse City, he was the station manager and Vice President for WCCW from 1968-1984. He went on to own and operate Traverse Communication Group until 1998. He finished his career with the American Cancer Society, where he served as the area Executive Director for 19 counties, retiring in 2010. After retirement, Bob spent many summers as the Concierge at Wuerfel Park for the Traverse City Beach Bums. In addition to his career, Bob was dedicated to the Traverse City community. He was a past chair and president for the National Cherry Festival, the Kiwanis Club, the Downtown Development Authority, the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce, and the Poseidon Swim Team. He helped to found the Traverse Advertising Club and served as its President. Bob was a founding Steering Committee Member of the North American Vasa and served as a Vice President. He also served as a board member for the American Lung Association of Michigan, the Traverse City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation. Bob was also a member of the Elks Lodge #323.

First and foremost, Bob will be remembered as a good father and a great member of the Traverse City community. He was an eternal optimist and had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved language and communication, both verbal and print. Bob was also a life-long Detroit Tigers fan. He enjoyed live music, Broadway musicals and, as a young man, spending time sailing and skiing. He could often be seen zipping about town on his moped, which he always referred to as "the chopper" and spending Saturday mornings at the Farmer's Market. He was keenly interested in his much-loved Traverse City and was an avid fan of the weekly-televised Traverse City Commission Meetings.

Bob loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and friends. He instilled in his children a great sense of right and wrong, as well as a strong sense of personal responsibility. He taught them to be kind, considerate and respectful to all. He made many sacrifices for his family and will be remembered as a steady influence in their lives. Bob doted on and delighted in his two granddaughters, whom he loved unconditionally and unreservedly, as they did him. All four of his children remember him as a good father, as well as a friend and look back fondly at the countless times they were just able to sit and have a pleasant afternoon together. Bob had many great friends and loved getting together with them for coffee, dinner groups, gathering at the Elks Lodge, and organizing the occasional trip to Interlochen to hear music. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy will live on.


Bob is survived by his children Margaret Jane Burian (Craig), Michele Carrie Burian-Quintiliano (Marcus), Robert Christopher Burian (Greer) and Jonathan Craig Burian (Laura); grandchildren Josephine Noa Burian and Violet Claire Burian; and siblings Fredrich John Burian (Chalintorn), Thomas Anthony Burian (Enrica) and Barbara Burian Welchin. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jack Ralph Burian. He will also be survived by his beloved home of many years, Traverse City.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Elks Lodge on Saturday, February 11th from 3:00-5:00.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cowell Family Cancer Center, the Kiwanis Club of Traverse City, or the Traverse City Elks Lodge charities.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories and condolences with the family.
The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.