Bob Burns, a lifelong resident of Texas with the exception of a brief stint in Los Angeles, held a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to his career in filmmaking, Burns had a successful career in commercial art, advertising, and journalism. Additionally, he was a renowned genealogist, largely due to his video production "Out of Your Tree! Crazy About Genealogy".
In May 2004, Bob Burns received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Rather than endure a prolonged and arduous illness, he made the difficult decision to end his life. His remains were discovered at his home in Seguin, Texas on June 1, 2004. The official cause of death was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
