Obituary of Glenn E. Burgeson

On March 21, 2018 Glenn Burgeson of Rose Hill Plantation, left this life and headed to a better one with no more illness or frustration. He had fought the good fight with Parkinson’s Disease for 30 years and he was over it. He went his way, as he always did. He summoned his family and friends and had a fond farewell that blessed us all with time. The time to tell him how very much he meant to all of us and time to feel his love returned to us in good measure. He was a larger than life human being and was interested in so many things, and as his interests expanded, his expertise did as well. He seemed to be able to conquer all challenges. He was a great skier, triathlete, cyclist, woodworker and boat builder, poet, horseman, sailor, scuba diver, church and community leader, business leader and volunteer. Sailing was his passion and he led his family on a 10-month sailing adventure living aboard a 44 ft sailboat in the Caribbean in the late 70’s. His willingness to step outside the norm and lead was the hallmark of this extraordinary man all his life. It was also the thing that we all cherished about him. Whether it was being determined not to let disease take all that he valued from him to being sure he taught all of us how to succeed in life, he was awesome. For a long while after he had been diagnosed his can-do spirit allowed him to do most everything he wanted to do from intricate woodworking to traveling all over Europe. It couldn’t stop him, and neither could we. Glenn graduated from Oak Park High School, in Oak Park Il, and Drake University in Des Moines IA, where he met the love of his life and 57-year wife and partner, Mary Ann Alexander Burgeson. He leaves behind many family and friends, and his son Steve Burgeson and his wife Anne, and daughters Emma and Claire Burgeson; his daughter Ann Marie Kemper and her husband Lee, and daughters Savannah and Lily Kemper; and his brothers Don Burgeson and his wife Norma; and Rich Burgeson and his wife Maria. He also leaves behind the dear, dear Ingram’s, witness to many capers. The family would very much like to request that instead of flowers, you consider a contribution Wells Fargo’s Glenn Burgeson Memorial Fund for the benefit of Joshua Hernandez Larranaga’s Education. Joshua is 7 years old and calls himself our “step-grandson”. He brightened our days when his wonderful caregiver mom Laura brought him to be with Glenn after school to play checkers and ride bikes. He wants to be an architect, and we think with a little help he will be successful in achieving his dreams. The festive Celebration of Glenn’s Life will be held at Central Church on Hilton Head Island at 1:00PM on Saturday, April 7th, 2018. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory. Islandfuneralhome.com.