Joshua Ambrose Burns, II

Joshua Ambrose Burns II, born in Nashville, TN on March 14, 1942, passed away in Belen, NM on November 29, 2025

After graduating from Harvard College in 1964 cum laude, he earned a Master of Architecture degree in 1968 at Washington University. Pursuing his interest in efficient building processes, he worked at Building Systems Development in San Francisco for three years. He then moved to the Stanford University School of Education where he became Associate Project Director, Educational Facilities Laboratories. Over ten years, he developed and implemented energy use monitoring and conservation computer software that was applied in more than 1,000 schools in California and Canada.

As a partner in his own firm, he assisted educational and institutional clients across the country including the U. S. Department of Energy and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (San Francisco) in making significant energy use and cost reductions.

An avid birder, he helped to initiate long-term bird monitoring studies in Salt Lake City, Utah and Phoenix, Arizona. Moving to Marfa, Texas, allowed him to observe, record, and share information on bird activity in Far West Texas for twenty years. He supported and contributed to comprehensive digital bird record efforts including eBird of the Cornell School of Ornithology

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Kates Burns, one daughter, Caitlin Burns Tinker, two grandchildren, Beatrix and Alexander, and a brother, Mark Burns.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at www.noblin.com
 

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