Nathan Louis Burgen, age 90, died on Wednesday December 7, 2016 at his home, 404 Skyland Drive in Cornelia, Georgia. Nathan was born in Eufaula, Alabama on October 10, 1926. He was the fifth child born to his parents, Avrum and Pauline Burgen. He attended elementary school in Eufaula until his family moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he graduated from Ramsey High School. Nathan was drafted in to the US Army and sent to the Philippines where he served with the 77th Air service Group. He was honorably discharged after being named Sergeant. Upon arriving home in 1946, Nathan was placed on the waiting list to attend the University of Georgia on the GI Bill.
While he waited, his brother suggested that he temporarily manage one of the family department stores in Cornelia, Georgia. He found his calling as a merchant and continued as a businessman for the next seventy years. During this time he, his brother Jake Burgen, and their partner Allen Doveton operated a chain of department stores in Georgia and South Carolina. Nathan bought and lived in the historic Commercial Hotel in Cornelia later selling the property to Regions Bank.
Nathan’s pride in his community was exemplified by his commitment and involvement with Piedmont College. He has served as a Trustee since 1969 and received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree from Piedmont in 1979. He was named a Trustee Emeritus in 2015. As a Trustee, Nathan was a valuable member of the Buildings & Grounds and the Investment committees during a time of great expansion for the college. During his tenure, Piedmont added 16 new buildings to the Demorest campus, plus the 12 buildings of the Student Village, and created a new campus in Athens, Georgia. He has a long history of anonymous support for new facilities, including the Arrendale Library and Stewart Science Center, and major landscaping projects. The Burgen Tennis Courts were named in his honor in 2005. Nathan also showed his support for Piedmont students through his contributions to the Annual fund and to the O’Neal Cave Scholarship, International Scholarships, and student work aid.
Nathan is survived by his sister, Sarah Ackerman of Fort Mill, SC, and seven nieces and nephews, Robert Burgen (Patti) of Seneca, SC, Bill Harman of Atlanta, GA, Paula Blaustein of Greensboro, NC, Allan Ackerman (Linda) of Columbia, SC, Esther Scott of Myrtle Beach, SC, Penni Powell (Stephen) of Charlotte, NC, Bernie Ackerman (Teri) of Fort Mill, SC. He was predeceased by his nieces, Sherry Misrock, Patricia Krasner, and Susan Brooks.
Nathan was a member of Congregation Beth Israel in Greenville, SC. He was also a member of the VFW in Cornelia, Georgia.
The family would like to express their thanks to loyal clerks Irma Loggins, Virginia Blakely, and Sarah Gardner who came to work as young women and have stayed involved in the business for over 60 years.
Nathans care-givers have enabled him to enjoy his last years. The family appreciates Lannie Matheson who has organized and supported Nathan’s wish to stay in his home.
Nathan will be buried in Charlotte, NC at the Hebrew Cemetery in the Burgen-Ackerman Plot.
In memory of Nathan Burgen, the family requests that donations be made to Piedmont College, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 429, Demorest, GA 30535 or via their website, www. piedmont.edu/giving.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Nathan Louis Burgen visit Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service online.
