Robert Burd was born on April 6, 1920 in Seattle, Washington to Earl and Esther Burd. He passed away peacefully at his home in Maple Valley on March 30, 2025, just one week shy of his 105th birthday.

Bob was raised in Seattle and spent many childhood summers working on Arvid Tillman's dairy farm in Arlington, where he claimed he learned his work ethic. As a teenager, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps on Orcas Island and following that he spent 46 years as a member of the Boilermaker's Union 104, until he retired in 1983.

Bob joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1941. In the 1950s and 60s he was an active member of the Salmon Bay Eagles drill team and even traveled to Toronto, Canada for the 1959 annual convention. In 1942, Bob met his future wife, Winifred Douglass, while waiting for a bus ride home from work. They were married in 1943 and raised two daughters, Carolyn and Nancy.

Bob was an avid lifelong hydroplane fan, starting from the very first race in Seattle. He volunteered with the Seattle Seafair Club in multiple capacities for the hydroplane races over the years.

Bob was also a founding member of the hydroplane fan club, Unlimiteds Unanimous, and the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. During his years working on boats, Bob was given the nickname "Uncle Bob" by hydroplane driver, Mark Evans, and that was how he continued to be known among the many drivers, owners and crew members in the hydroplane world. After he retired, Bob began a second career volunteering with Chuck Hickling to help build his hydroplane, Tempus and its trailer. He later spent time working on boat crews for Dave Culley, Jim Harvey, Ron Jones, Sr. and Ron Jones, Jr. Over the years Bob worked on many hydroplanes, including the American Spirit, Trendwest, Freddie's Club and Graham Trucking.

Bob and his wife, Winnie, spent decades of summers traveling in their motorhome to hydroplane races all over the United States, and they treasured the many friends and memories they made within the hydroplane community. Bob was truly an encyclopedia of hydroplane racing history; he authored a book, "Racing Unlimited" in 1984, detailing his experiences and memories and creating a record of race events and boats that competed over the history of the sport. He completed several updates to that book in later years and self-published it, sharing copies with friends and family. Uncle Bob attended his final race in July 2024 at the Columbia Cup in Kennewick, Washington. At the age of 104, he rode his red scooter around the pits, greeting his hydroplane friends, and parked it on the bank of the river to watch every heat.

Bob is survived by his brother Fred Burd; daughters Carolyn Graham and Nancy (Tom) Winkle; grandchildren Bill (Shannon) Walker, Carri (Mike) Acree, and Matt (Joy) Graham; and great grandchildren Kellyn, Bailey and Jazeya. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Esther Burd; brothers Harold and Dick Burd; and his wife Winifred Burd.

Burial arrangements are being provided by Bonney Watson Funeral Home, SeaTac, WA. A private graveside service will be held at Bonney Watson Washington Memorial Park on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. A public celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2:00PM; all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum.