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Robert Burnham 1965
 
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Unlike some aspects of life (marriages, having kids, moving through jobs), high school is a portal only passed through once. At a vulnerable time in life, we were brought together to set courses for our lives to come.

About Robert: After graduation, Robert studied Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Tech, and after a few semesters, transferred to the University of Michigan. He graduated with honors and was offered a position in the Chrysler Institute of Engineering, earned a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, also from U of M, and eventually became a P.E. (state licensed Professional Engineer). Later he moved to Ford as Program Manager for F-Series and other truck lines, then became Vice President of Technology for Textron, and over the years has been VP of Engineering for several automotive suppliers.

His wife is Sandra Campbell, a former Miss Canada who represented Canada in the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants, and hosted television programs in Australia. Married a mere 7 weeks after their first meeting, he'd practiced with the band and sang Gordon Lightfoot's Beautiful to her at their wedding reception with 125 guests. It worked, since they were happily married for 34 years! Beloved Sandra passed to the side of Jesus on December 4, 2015, after a brief illness. To see a video of Sandra’s beauty pageant career, visit YouTube Sandra Campbell Miss Canada. Her tribute video was produced by their son Alexander and Robert sang the backing track. Alexander is studying cinematography/film at University of Central Florida in Orlando. His is 6’-5” and is active in campus student Christian ministries. Robert has been blessed with a bounty of memorable experiences - driving the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 170 mph; seeing Alexander receiving his diploma from Detroit Country Day School; celebrating Alex's 15th birthday with a dinner cruise on the River Seine in Paris; watching the first Dodge Dakota roll off the assembly line with the name he proposed, and showing their 100-point 12-cylinder Jaguar XKE roadster in dozens of car shows. Robert is a regular soloist at Lutheran church services, loves Michigan Football (season ticket holder since undergrad days), and has met Jay Leno, Raquel Welch, Tiger Woods, Mike Ditka, Danica Patrick, Jackie Stewart, Regis Philbin, Mitch Albom, Carroll Shelby, Lee Iacocca, and Bo Schembechler. Robert is semi-retired, writing novels and doing engineering consulting, and lives in Naples, FL.

Message to Classmates: Lutheran West provided lasting memories. I was honored to escort Queen Marcia to Homecoming, Bev to the Senior Prom, and to have had Sue McGregor teach me how to properly tie my tie! Marilyn Speier (Edick) from the Class of '67 became one of my wife's closest friends. Our championship cross-country and track teams, led by Coach Ruth, were life-changing for me. And above all, I've had the love of God and family, which has illuminated my life.

My favorite Bible passage is Romans 8:38: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Plato, a pretty practical guy, said, "He whom love touches not, walks in darkness." So until we all meet at the eternal reunion in Heaven, I wish you love, light, and happiness.

 
  This page was last updated on October 11, 2016.