Class Notes

Robert E. Burney III JD ’91 passed away July 10, 2019, in Portland. He was 59.

Robert was born on August 9, 1959, to Robert Burney II and Virginia Burney in Florida. He spent much of his youth pursuing his passion for cycling; after graduating from Lincoln High School in 1977, he trained for the 1980 and 1984 Olympic cycling teams.

In the early 1980s Robert met and married Tanya Burney. The couple had two children. Robert earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Reed College in May 1986, divorced while in law school, and went on to practice personal injury litigation. In 1993, he married Liza Burney, with whom he lived happily in Portland with the boys, their dogs, and Robert’s large bicycle collection.

After some years practicing law, Robert turned his focus to financial services and insurance. He launched his own company, which he ran successfully until his death.

Robert is survived by his sons, Ross and Robby; brother Charles; sister Jessica; mother, Virginia; father, Robert; and wife, Liza.

Stuart Sugarman JD ’91 passed away March 28, 2016, from diabetes-related causes. He was 52 years old.

Stu was born May 16, 1963, in Jericho, New York. He attended Jericho Senior High School and earned a BS in marine science and biology from the University of Miami.

A partner at the Portland law firm Warren & Sugarman, Stu was known for his devotion to providing every defendant with a robust representation. He assisted people in their darkest moments and was known to take even the smallest cases seriously. Stu took on numerous pro bono cases, particularly on behalf of activists. He most recently defended—for free—the seven Greenpeace protesters charged in connection with a 2015 incident during which activists suspended themselves from Portland’s St. Johns Bridge in an effort to halt oil drilling in the Arctic.

Stu was respected and loved by all who knew him. He is remembered for his humor, wit, fairness, honesty, and selflessness. An avid cyclist, Stu was a frequent participator in Portland’s annual World Naked Bike Ride and Cycle Oregon. He was also a longtime volunteer at the Oregon Country Fair.

Stu is survived by his son, Riley; his mother, Pearl Sugarman; and his siblings Steven and Lori Sugarman, among other relatives.