Robert Ward Burian, 80, of Fairfield, CT, surrounded by family, died peacefully at home on May 5, 2015, from complications following a stroke.   Bob, as he was known to his friends, was born on November 4, 1934, in New York City.  He attended Mount St. Michaels, Friends Academy in Locust Valley, the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School, a member of Sigma Chi fraternity; he was also a member of the eight man varsity light weight crew that topped a winning season by competing at the Royal Henley Regatta.  After graduation, he proudly served his country in the National Guard before embarking on a career in marketing , first with Arthur B. Little and Beechnut, and then with IBM.  During his tenure at IBM, he gained a reputation as an advocate of the need to understand customer requirements.  Known to his colleagues as 'Mr. Voice of the Customer', Bob was a pioneer in shaping the way companies bring products to market. Bob was active in the Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry and as Senior Warden at St. Timothy's Church in Fairfield, and was a member of the New Canaan Society, a global, connected network of men who are committed to friendship with Jesus and with each other.  He devoted his retirement years to helping others:  as a member of the Bridgeport Deanery, the Service Corps for Retired Executives (SCORE), and as an advisor to the Fanny Crosby Nursing Home and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. As a talented amateur actor, Bob was a member of the Amateur Comedy Club (New York City) and the Westport Community Theatre.  His favorite role was that of Colonel Pickering in Pygmalion.  The high point of his acting career occurred when he was a member of the cast of Our Town, a Westport Playhouse production that starred Paul Newman.  He also enjoyed singing, both in the choir at St. Timothy's and as a stalwart of the Coastal Chordsmen (Connecticut). Bob was an avid sailor and past member of the Shinnecock Yacht Club (Quogue, NY) and the Pequot Yacht Club (Southport, CT).  He shared his love of sailing with family and friends, enjoying trips on Long Island Sound, Buzzards Bay, the waters of Nova Scotia and the Caribbean.  When not sailing. Bob loved his time at the Surf Club of Quogue and the Quogue Field Club, and more recently at the Fairfield Beach Club. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara, two children – Pamela Burian Badger and Susan Burian Richards and their husbands, Thomas Badger and George Richards,  his brother, Ward Burian, two nieces – Jennifer Burian Rowe and Allyson Burian Sands, and five grandchildren, Grace and Witt Badger, George, William and Kate Richards. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 11:00am at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Fairfield.  The Redgate - Hennessy Funeral Home, 4 Gorham Place, Trumbull, CT, is assisting the family with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 4670 Congress Street, Fairfield CT 06824 or the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, 1088 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com