Robert Wendell Burnett's Obituary
Robert Wendell Burnett, age 76, became heaven's newest star on Friday, April 15, 2022, when he passed away peacefully at Paramount Senior Living in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.
Loving father of Shevonna (David) Bey and Heather (Lenton) Cooper; grandfather of Lenton II, Cameron, Nina, Ashton, and Paisley; and brother of James R. Burnett. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Burnett and siblings, Yvonne Tedder and Thomas Burnett. Robert is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Bob dedicated his career to educating young people and felt that given the opportunity any child could rise to the occasion. After graduating from Slippery Rock University, he became a teacher and then moved onto becoming an educator at Frew Mill School, Youth Development Center in New Castle, PA. He continued his journey by obtaining his master's degree from Westminster College and moved into school administration and became a principal. He remained in principal or assistant principal capacity for the remainder of his career at high schools such as Seneca Valley, Rochester, and Wilkinsburg until he retired.
As the youngest child of four, Bob developed a love of all sports at an early age by watching his older siblings in their many activities. Throughout his youth, he could always be found on a ballfield, on a court or in attendance at sporting events at any level of competition from amateur to professional. His love of sports lead to him running track, playing college football while attending Slippery Rock and ultimately transitioning from athlete to coach. He was affectionately known as Coach or Coach B to many student athletes over the years. He coached football at several high schools such as Aliquippa, Frew Mill and Union. He also coached boys' basketball at Frew Mill, girls' basketball at Cornell, and Canon-McMillan. He coached track & field at Cornell as well. His prolific coaching career allowed him to coach athletes that went on to participate in all levels of collegiate sports, in the NFL, and mentored an Olympian gold and silver medalist.
Robert was an active member of Sunrise Baptist Church, Pittsburgh and served as a Deacon.
Robert also had variety of interests throughout his life. He was a member of the singing group, The Pharaohs aka The Pharoh's, who entertained at venues during his youth and cut a record; he loved to travel to visit family and domestic and international destinations as well; he was an entrepreneur: creating an athletic apparel company named All the Way Down (ATWD), and even authored a book, "All the Way Down: Changing Hearts and Minds", in 2013.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 11am - 1pm at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 301 Curry Hollow Rd. Pleasant Hills. A homegoing celebration will be held at 1 pm in the Funeral Home's Chapel with the service also available via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84190842749?pwd=SkJxcDRpbjAvOWVrRHZCZk9tMmdRZz09. Internment at Jefferson Memorial Park. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Boys and Girls Club of Western PA at https://www.bgcwpa.org/.
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