POTSDAM -- Robert R. Burns of Potsdam has been recognized with the Service Above Self Award by the Rotary Club of Potsdam in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community.

Burns is an honorary member of the Potsdam Rotary club, having served as secretary, president and chair of a district committee.

Retired village administrator and engineer for the Village of Potsdam, Burns has been a member of the board of the Canton-Potsdam Hospital, village trustee, chairman of the village zoning board of appeals, member of the board and two-time chairman of North Country Savings Bank, member of the town-gown committee, president and board member of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, and president and board member of Bayside Cemetery.

He has received a SUNY Potsdam President’s Award for Public Service, the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce Commitment to the Community Award ,and the Clarkson Golden Knight Award for distinguished service to the university.

He has also been involved in the American Field Service (now AFS-USA) student exchange and many of the Potsdam Rotary club’s projects, including Postwood Park, the Lawrence Avenue playground, Dodge Pond, and the Ives Park gazebo.

Burns received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, master of science in industrial engineering, master’s degree in engineering science and Ph.D. in engineering science, all from Clarkson University.