Nils Gerard Burgeson, 89, of Myrtle Beach, SC, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on December 30, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born September 13, 1927 in Bronx, NY, the son of the late Nils and Anna Burgeson who immigrated to the US from Sweden.

During World War II, Nils, at age 16, enlisted in the US Navy as a Radioman and Gunner aboard TBF aircraft. Upon separation, Nils received training in carpentry by working for his father-in-law. He eventually operated his own finish carpentry business. In 1993, after 20 years of service, he retired from Rutgers University School of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ as supervisor of Plant Operations and moved to Calabash, NC, where he and his wife resided until 2015.

Nils' passion for service led him to leadership roles in the Boys Scouts of America (District Director), the Masons (Lodge Worshipful Master), Shriners and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary (Commander).

He was a member of St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church and enjoyed all aspects of scouting, camping, bowling and golf. Most of all he loved cruising the waterways performing his duties with the Auxiliary.

Nils is survived by; his loving wife of 69 years, Mildred; sons Richard (Carol) and Robert (Tracey); grandchildren, Erik, Ryan, Jeffrey (Danielle) and Jason (Kristine); great grandchildren Patrick and Bailey.

Memorial and Interment Services will be held on January 21, 2017 at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ocean Isle, NC at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.