Memorial
Christopher Robert Burr, age 66, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, August 15, 2015 after succumbing to cancer. Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home.
Surviving to honor his memory is his loving family, daughter Heather J. Burr, husband Jeff Strickler, granddaughters Eleanor and Athena and grandson Quinn of Walla Walla, WA, and daughter Erin C. Burr, friend Craig Goldsmith, grandson Everett of Cedar Rapids, brothers, Stephen Burr (Kristy) of Tama and Fredrick Burr (Mary Ellen) of Des Moines.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beth Ann (Birtwistle), infant daughter, Hillary Jane, and his parents.
Chris loved his family, and sought beauty and spirituality in nature and art. Home was with his family beside his flowers, patio and in the trout stream at Decorah. When he couldn't fish, he liked to see his grandchildren, paint, and write poetry. One of his favorite quotes was from Scott Adams "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." He exhibited strength when he lost his wife and dignity when he faced his death.
Chris was born on December 29, 1948 to Dr. Charles Burr and Helen (Watkins) Burr. He was a 1967 graduate of Roosevelt High School. He graduated from Luther College where he met and married Beth Ann Birtwistle on June 4, 1972. He spent six years in the Iowa National Guard as 1st Lieutenant, Signal Corp. He worked as a manager and supervisor for Alliant Electric until he retired in January 2007. Chris was president of his bonsai club and an active member of the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be directed to the family in Chris’s memory.