W. Robert Milburn

W. Robert Milburn

W. Robert "Bob" Milburn, 88, of Ithaca, New York died Monday, May 6, 2013. He was born to the late Wendell and Sara Milburn, on March 27, 1925, near Belfast, Ohio. Bob graduated from Belfast High School in 1943. He served as an electrician's mate in the U.S. Navy from 1944 through 1946 and served in the south pacific theatre during WWII. Upon his discharge, he enrolled at the Ohio State University where he received a bachelor of engineering degree from The Ohio State University in 1950. He was a member of Alpha Zeta, an agricultural fraternity, where he made lifetime friendships and met his first wife, the late Jean Voorhis.

Bob's career included that of surveyor, farmer, small business owner and realtor. He was a hard worker and continued his real estate activities until his mid- 80's. He was passionate about amateur ("ham") radio and achieved the "extra" class - the highest rank available to ham radio operators. He loved music and was a lifelong student of the piano, clarinet and guitar. Robert attended Paradise Valley United Methodist Church in Paradise Valley Arizona for many years and was active in the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club and the Alpha Zeta Alumni Association.

Robert is survived by his wife, Helene Burt, of Glendale, Arizona; a sister: Jane Milburn of Colorado Springs, Colorado; three children including son David and wife Marianne Camous of San Mateo, California; daughter Suzanne Brink and her husband Phil of Erie, Colorado; and daughter Donna Stauffer and her husband Doug of Ithaca, New York; seven stepdaughters and their families in the greater Phoenix area including Eileen and Larry Cooper; Susie and Bruce Wenger ; Bobby Burt; Debbie and Curt Rowan; Sandy and Michael Ponzo; Linda and Howard Pressman; and Michelle and Eric Davis, and 26 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his late wife, Jean Voorhis Milburn, a daughter, Cathy Stevens, and a grandchild, Rachael Stauffer.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club, WA7APE, P.O. Box 10878, Scottsdale, AZ 85271-8878. For more information: http://scottsdalearc.org/club-info-2/donations/.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held in Ithaca, New York on May 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel Grove Bible Church.