DAVID LEE BURGERT

1959-2017

David Lee Burgert, age 58, passed away Friday, the 7th of July 2017, following a long illness. David was born in 1959 in Kansas City, Kansas and was raised in the Midwest – Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Ohio.

He was a stellar student, and voted “Most Likely to Succeed” at Copley High School, in Akron Ohio. David was a National Merit Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, National Forensic League, Optimist International Oratorical champion, Bicentennial Youth Debate winner, Century III Leaders State Competition winner, Forensic Pentathlon winner, Debate, Forensic and Impromptu Speaker champion, Lincoln-Douglas Debate Competition winner, “Academic Challenge” first place team winner. He was an Eagle Scout.

David’s undergraduate education was at Ohio University Tutorial College where he graduated in 1980 summa cum laude with a degree in Economics. While there, he was named the Undergraduate Student Scholar and was a member of the Ohio University national champion forensic team. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from University of Michigan Law School in 1983.

David was a talented and exceptional trial attorney working in the field of intellectual property law. He was an associate at Vinson & Elkins, LLP, and a partner at Porter Hedges, LLP and Jones Day.

His proudest achievements, however, are his two daughters and the joy he has experienced as they have begun their journeys through life. He was an outstanding father and will live on through his family. He has passed on his love of Colorado, photography and science fiction to his daughters. He derived great strength from his faith in God acquired from loving parents. He was a long-standing member of First Presbyterian Church in Houston.

David is survived by daughters, Melissa Christine and Grace Josephine; sister, Susan Jo Burgert-Abene, MD; brother-in-law, Michael Vincent Abene, MD; nephew, Joshua Michael Abene; and great-niece, Lark Elora Abene.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 12th of July, at First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward St. Luke’s Foundation Friends of Nursing, PO Box 20269, MC3-206, Houston, TX 77225