Robert Edward Burgess of Los Altos, who spent 30 years in the Naval Reserve and a had a 40-year civilian career in journalism, died Aug. 24. He was 77.
Mr. Burgess was born May 2, 1929, in San Francisco. His father, from England, and his mother, from New Zealand, had decided on their honeymoon to settle in San Francisco.
The family went to England four years after their son’s birth, settling in Ringstead, Northamptonshire. During World War II, the 379th Bombardment Group was located near Mr. Burgess’ school in Kimbolton, and he saw American bombers flying back to the airfield after missions in Europe. As a young boy, Mr. Burgess heard many tales in the neighborhood pub that formed the basis for his lifelong love of travel and journalism.
After graduating from Kimbolton School, which he attended on a scholarship, he became a reporter for the Evening Telegraph in Kettering from 1945 to 1947.
In 1947, his family moved back to San Francisco. Mr. Burgess enrolled at nearby UC Berkeley to study journalism. At that time, military science was a required course, and it ultimately led Mr. Burgess to seek a commission with the Navy.
He graduated in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism, and entered the U.S. Naval Reserve as an ensign. Mr. Burgess spent most of his time in the Navy in the Bay Area, retiring as a captain in 1982.
Mr. Burgess began his civilian career at the Palo Alto Times in 1955. Starting as a reporter, he worked his way up to managing editor in 1977 and retired in 1979.
In 1980, he joined Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. Inc. in Sunnyvale, managing the news bureau and the public relations and communications departments until his retirement in 1996.
Mr. Burgess married Lucinda J. Wilson at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on Dec. 27, 1959. They raised four children.
Mr. Burgess held various tenures on the Vestry at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos, where he was a member for 45 years. He was on the Executive Board and Relationships Committee for Boy Scouts of America, Stanford Area Council; was secretary of the USS Edmonds reunion committee; and was active in the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition.
During retirement, Mr. Burgess reconnected with many old friends. In 2000, he attended the 400th anniversary of Kimbolton and, in 2005, was instrumental in organizing a 60th anniversary tribute to the 379th Bombardment Group.
He was also active in promoting the activities of the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition, or SPARC.
In addition to his wife, Lucinda, Mr. Burgess is survived by three daughters, Lucinda Stangl of University Place, Wash., Diane Vanden Brook of Woodinville, Wash., and Patricia Burgess of Big Bear Lake; one son, Robert Burgess of Sunnyvale; and three grandsons.
A memorial service and interment is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos.
The family requests that commemorative gifts be made to a scholarship fund for economically disadvantaged students at Kimbolton School.
