Explore the story of Bob Burns, and discover his connection to Sioux City, in this month's History at High Noon: Tracing Bob Burns Back to Sioux City, presented by Stu Whitney.
Bob Burns had the sort of life that few people seem to live anymore.
Champion boxer. Star quarterback. War hero. Coaching legend. Idea man.
He parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day, lured the Minnesota Vikings to South Dakota for their first-ever NFL game and, as a hard-driving football coach, lifted high school and college programs to unprecedented heights.
The Great Burns, by longtime South Dakota journalist Stu Whitney, is a journey in itself. It captures the essence of Burns’ desire to win, whether courting his future wife in college, fighting off German attacks at the Battle of the Bulge or earning the lifelong loyalty of his players with memorable triumphs.
It’s a story that will resonate with readers who are hungry for American heroes, especially those who inspire others by making them believe in themselves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stu Whitney covered the Great Plains as a columnist and editor at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader for three decades, earning national recognition from the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Scripps Howard Foundation. The Great Burns is his second book. He published a novel, The Covid Chronicles, in 2021.
History at High Noon is a popular lunchtime photo-based program series held on the third Thursday of each month at 12:05 p.m. at the Sioux City Public Museum. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunches to enjoy during these free presentations.