Robert Burden, 90, longtime resident of Hill City, passed away on Dec. 24, 2010. Bob was born on June 30, 1920 and lived in Illinois, California, New Mexico and Missouri before settling with his family in Morrill, Nebraska. He was the youngest of five born to Bert and Abbey (Lewis) Burden. Bob spent many happy hours fishing and hunting along the North Platte River and excelled at sports in high school. Bob's college education was interrupted by World War II where he served with the US Army Air Force as an airplane mechanic. He had played three years of college football at Chadron State and played two years with the Army's Football team in Europe. After the war he played one final year before graduating with a degree in secondary education with a major in political science and geography. He worked hard to expand his own education and to help his students achieve academic success. He was proud of the student's achievements and happy for their success in life. He broadened his own education to become a coach, science teacher and eventually a school principal. The 'Bob Burden Gymnasium' in Hill City was named in his honor and his teams won more than twenty championships in football, basketball and track. He was well respected for his enthusiasm and capacity to help every athlete make their best contribution to the team. He was selected for the Chadron State Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions to athletics and the community at large. Bob served with the Civil Defense during the Cold War years and also served on the Hill City town board, the Pennington County Planning and Zoning board and the Little White Church board. Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Theresa Burden, Hot Springs; two sons, Ross (Sue) Burden, Hot Springs; Keith (Laura) Burden, Custer and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren along with many friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter; four brothers and his sister. .