Robert E. Burney

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.