Obituaries

Matthew J. PatkusHome Inspector

Matthew J. Patkus, 78, owner of a home inspection business and a former contractor, died June 18 of cardiovascular disease at his home in Chevy Chase.

Mr. Patkus was born in Chicago and grew up in Springfield, Ill. He served in the Merchant Marine in the late 1940s. During the Korean War, he served with the 44th Engineer Construction Battalion.

He moved to Wheaton in about 1952 and settled in Chevy Chase in 1961.

In the late 1950s, Mr. Patkus began a home remodeling business specializing in kitchens. In 1973, he started American Home Inspection Service and became a full-time home inspector. He was a charter member of the mid-Atlantic chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors and spoke at meetings of the society. He retired in 1999. His son Danny continues to operate the business.

Mr. Patkus was a member of Chevy Chase United Methodist Church, the American Legion and the Brook Manor Country Club, which is now defunct.

His interests included gardening, cooking, fishing, golf and camping in his recreational vehicle.

His marriage to Virginia Patkus ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Nancy A. Patkus of Chevy Chase; a son from his first marriage, Lee Patkus of Maitland, Fla.; three children from his second marriage, Mark Patkus of Kensington, Danny Patkus of Bethesda and Jodie Patkus of Dickerson; a brother; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

-- Matt Schudel

James T. BurnsInternist

James T. Burns, 94, who practiced internal medicine for 31 years in Washington and in Silver Spring, died June 17 at his home in Rockville. He had heart ailments.

Dr. Burns was born in Washington and graduated from Eastern High School and George Washington University. He received a medical degree from George Washington's medical school in 1936. He entered a residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in 1939 and in 1942 was asked to head the George Washington medical school's teaching program throughout World War II.

After the war, Dr. Burns returned to general practice as an internist with a specialty in allergies at 18th and I streets NW in Washington and for about five years in Silver Spring before retiring in 1977.

Dr. Burns and his wife traveled the world. He studied everything from Russian literature to economics for many years through the alumni course program at George Washington University. Family members said he had a passion for learning and helping people.

A daughter, Carole Anne Burns, died in 1996.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Ruby Lee Whitley Burns of Rockville; two children, James Theodore Burns Jr. of Olney and Christine Burns Kelly of Gaithersburg; three granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren.

-- Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb