Marshall Lewis Burns, Jr.

Dr. Marshall Lewis Burns, Jr., 79, passed away peacefully June 1, 2025, at Dadeville Healthcare Center in Dadeville, Alabama. Born September 8, 1945, in Crab Orchard, West Virginia, he spent his childhood running and playing in the West Virginia mountains. His family moved to Indiana when he was a teenager, and he graduated from Warren Central High School in 1963. He attended Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana, on a President’s Science Scholarship where he was named a Hoosier All-Conference athlete in track. His favorite races were the 800-meter relay and the1600-meter relay, still holding school records in both. Marshall graduated from Franklin College with a B.A. in Physics in 1967. It was while at Franklin College that he met and married the love of his life, June Anne Doub.

Awarded a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) Fellowship to Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, Marshall earned his Ph.D. in Physics (accelerated) in 1972. He was an assistant professor at William Patterson College in New Jersey before moving to Auburn, Alabama, with his wife and 4 children in 1976. Marshall spent the remainder of his teaching career (46 years) at Tuskegee University, Alabama, where he was promoted to full professor and developed the university’s first physics major program. He also served for two years as a summer Faculty Research Associate to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research for spaceflight study (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base). Additionally, he solely authored the textbook Modern Physics for Science and Engineering. 

Marshall’s greatest joy outside of his family was teaching, interacting with, and inspiring his many students. He was known for lecturing with only a cup of coffee and a piece of chalk, never using any notes. In addition, he obtained his builder’s license and built three houses in Ohio and one in Auburn, Alabama, which was the family home for 27 years. He was an honorary lifetime member of the Village Conservation Club and a former member of the Auburn Elks Lodge.  After retiring, he spent his days boating, fishing, and enjoying life at Lake Martin, Alabama. 

Marshall is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, June Anne Doub Burns, and their children Kim Burns Cobb, Michelle Tonsmeire (Mac), and Bill Burns (Victoria). Grandchildren include Katie Cobb, Kyle Cobb (Natalie), Thomas Tonsmeire, Maggie Tonsmeire, AJ Brenner, Logan Brenner, Brandon Burns, Kerith Brenner Trammell (Dakota), Emmy Burns Vines (Nick), and Maddy Burns. Great grandchildren include Will Brenner and Isabella Trammell. He is also survived by his brother Earle Goode (Yvonne) and his sister, Nancy Pat Chapman. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his daughter, Marsha Burns Burney.  

A private graveside service was held on June 5, 2025, at Auburn Memorial Park. The family respectfully requests donations in Dr. Burns’ name be made to the Marsha Burns Burney Memorial Scholarship Fund at Auburn University.