Robin 'Rob' R. Burden

BURDEN, Robin R. (Rob) -- Age 47, of Fenton, died May 3, 2004, peacefully at home after a courageous 10 year battle with cancer.  Funeral mass will be celebrated 12 noon, Friday, May 7, 2004 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide, Fenton, Rev. Fr. David Harvey, Celebrant.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Fenton.  Visitation will be held 1 - 8 PM Wednesday, and 10 AM - 8 PM Thursday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton with a vigil service at 7:30 PM Thursday.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to St. John School Educational Fund, North End Soup Kitchen or a charity of one's choice.  Rob was born May 10, 1956 in Fairbanks, Alaska to Richard and Virginia Burden.  He graduated from Flushing High School in 1974.  Rob was joined in marriage to Theresa Kessler May 17, 1980 and has resided in the Fenton area for the last 24 years.  He owned and operated Burden and Son Excavating and took tremendous pride in his work.  He was very involved in the community including donating his expertise to Habitat for Humanity projects, playscapes at local schools and was very involved in the St. John School expansion.  Rob felt privileged to serve his many wonderful customers and fellow contractors.  He is survived by: devoted wife, Terri; beloved children Nicholas and Stephanie at home; father, Richard Burden of Ft. Myers, FL; sister and husband, Rebecca and Todd Olsen of Naples, FL; father and mother-in-law, John and Donna Kessler of Flushing; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Ginger Kessler, Michael and Bridget Kessler, James and Kathleen Kessler, Steven and Karen Foster; special nieces and nephews, Steven, Kyle, Anthony, Allison, Christa, Lauren, Ian Kessler and Steven Foster; aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends, especially Donald Teggerdine, Matt and Sharon Clor and family, Ken and Janet Fry.  Rob was preceded in death by mother, Virginia Burden; grandfather, Glenn Burden; nephew, Jason Kessler; and little grandma, Emma Kessler.  The family wishes to thank Dr. Rabbi Salimi, MD of Flint, Dr. Robert Todd, MD and Kathleen Fasing, MSN, NP of the University of Michigan and Linda Vanni, RN, MSN, CS of Karmanos Cancer Institute.  Rob loved his family, his work and a good apple pie.  He touched so many lives.  His courage and determination to live life in spite of illness was an inspiration to those who knew and loved him. Friends may share online condolences or tributes at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.