Obituaries

Frank Randolph "Randy" Burns III died peacefully on January 11, 2024, in Chesterfield, Missouri. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 23, 1951. Randy was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend.

Randy grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1969. He went on to attend and graduate from the University of Iowa. Randy worked in the banking industry after college in Des Moines, IA, Topeka, KS, and St. Louis, MO, where he spent the remainder of his life. He became a book dealer and was an avid collector and consumer of literature. Randy had a particular interest in world religions and was a member of the Baha'i faith.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Randolph Burns Jr. and Virginia "Cissie" Conine Burns; and sister, Patricia "Patti" Burns Fontanini. He is survived by his sister, Cynthia "Cindy" Burns Cadot of New York, NY; brother-in-law Jim Fontanini of West Des Moines, IA; nieces Virginia Cadot of New York, NY (Kyle Fatimi); Aubrie Fontanini of Des Moines, IA (Andrew Graeve); and Chloe Fontanini Bodenhamer of West Des Moines, IA (Patrick Bodenhamer); great nieces Nora Fatimi of New York, NY; Marlo Bodenhamer, and Greta Bodenhamer of West Des Moines, IA; and great-nephews Anwar Fatimi of New York, NY; Burns Bodenhamer of West Des Moines, IA; and Merrick Graeve of Des Moines, IA.

Randy was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum in St. Louis, Missouri. A private celebration of life service is being planned by his family and close friends.

Memorial donations of any kind can be made to the Greater St. Louis Book Fair in his memory at 2457 Rock Island Blvd., Maryland Heights, MO 63043 (stlouisbookfair.org).