Robert John Burash

Robert (Bob) Burash (78 years old) lived with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) / Lou Gehrig’s Disease following his first diagnosis in February 2023, until it took his life on December 1, 2025.

Robert John Burash, son of Edith Marie (Fritts) Burash and John Andrew Burash, Jr. was born in Saint Mary’s Hospital in Streator, Illinois on February 28, 1947.

Bob grew up in Streator and enjoyed a wonderful childhood.  He graduated from Streator Township High School in 1965.  After two years of higher education, Bob enlisted in the Air Force in June 1967, and retired in June 1987.  He enjoyed his life in the service and spent time in Texas, California, Maryland, Turkey, Romania and West Berlin.  Bob was always glad that he was in the Air Force and that his family was with him during his duty assignments.  After retirement, Bob started a second career at the Department of Defense for another 28 years.

Bob loved running!  He started small with 5 and 10k races and worked his way up to marathons.  He ran the Boston and Marine Corp Marathons twice and the Baltimore Marathon.  When he turned 65, he ran an Ultra 50-mile race in 2012, and hoped to run it again but unfortunately, he had to quit running due to issues with his back.

Bob was predeceased by his son, Paul John Burash, who died on August 8, 1992, in a single car accident.  Both Bob and Sandi were a part of Bereaved Parents in honor of their son.  Bob took over as Chapter Leader several years ago and helped so many newly bereaved parents and only stepped down due to ALS.

He was also predeceased by his parents, John and Edith Burash, who passed away in 2014.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandi, of 57 years of marriage.  He will miss her as much as she will miss him.  Bob liked to joke that Sandi chased him until he caught her.  He is also survived by his daughter, Andrea Campbell, and son-in-law, John Campbell, their five children, Matthew Campbell (Carly), Zachary Campbell (Jordynne), David Campbell, Emilee Campbell and Andrew Campbell and three great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Ryan and Laikyn.  He loved them all dearly and was proud of each one of them.  Also, his brother, Larry Burash, and sister, Dianna D’Abrosca, two sisters-in-law (Pam Tauber and Mary Fessler) and two brothers-in-law (Michael and Steven Fessler), and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Bob was grateful for the wonderful life he had been given.  He cherishes the family and friends who have had an influence on his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to go to either the Paul J. Burash Memorial Scholarship or the ALS Association.  For Paul’s memorial you can make donations at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QQRLQGRY9THBW – click on ‘other’, select your donation method, add the donation amount and in notes or memo write ‘Paul J. Burash Memorial Scholarship’ or if you prefer to send a check, make it payable to AACC Foundation Inc., add Paul J. Burash Memorial Scholarship in the memo and mail it to: AACC Foundation; Henry "Hank" Libby Building; 101 College Parkway; Arnold, MD 21012.  Or if you’d rather, donations can be made to the ALS Association at https://www.als.org/?form=general&s_src=donatebutton.  You can click the box that says, ‘Dedicate this donation’ and put in Robert Burash.  Thank you.