Hugh Taggart Burleigh, 96
Jan. 11, 1929 - Nov. 14, 2025

You were immediately his friend- whether on the ski slopes, golf course, hiking trails, walking in the neighborhood, or while rehabbing a house.

Hugh was born in Franklin, New Hampshire, the second son of Joseph Burleigh and Alice Taggart Burleigh. The beautiful mountains and lakes of New Hampshire were enjoyed with his brothers Joseph Harry and Peter Gregg. At age 11 Hugh disliked pushing his brother Peter in the baby carriage. Many of these rides were fast and bumpy. During World War II he and Joe Harry raised three pigs named Huey, Dewey and Louie for food. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America, following years of mentorship that began at age ten within the Franklin Outing Club. At Franklin High School he participated in football, pole vaulting and skiing, graduating in 1946 part of a class of forty.

Skiing was his passion; his father's skis were cut down to fit his feet at age three! He went on to ski competitively for the U.S. Army in Europe and for his University. His finely tuned skis carried him to 84 resorts around the world, with his final run taking place with family in Park City, Utah, at the remarkable age of 95. Fellow skiers were often infected with his enthusiasm and likely received recommendations to improve their technique.

In 1951 he was drafted for the Korean war and sent to Fort Hood in Texas - his first time west of the Mississippi River. His training involved learning to operate a 50 mm caliber machine gun and a 90 mm tank cannon. However, one summer he served as lifeguard at the officers' dependents pool. Next, he was sent to Hof, Germany as part of the border patrol between East Germany and Czechoslovakia - often on night duty. He was also chosen for competitive skiing for the 7th Army Corps vying against Austrians and Germans. On his discharge trip home his assignment involved guarding prisoners in the hold of the ship. Always optimistic he said that they never had to wait in the chow line and were the first to disembark.

A lifelong learner, he attended Wentworth Institute in Boston, where he earned an Associate's degree in Machine Construction and Tool Design. The GI Bill allowed him to complete a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of New Hampshire where he also joined Phi Mu Delta fraternity. His education continued, specializing in Industrial Management, at Yale University. Always seeking knowledge and having a keen interest in world affairs, Hugh could be found with a history book, biography, or the Economist magazine in his hands.

In 1955 he met Carol Nickerson at the UNH orientation for transfer students. For the next two years they enjoyed trading expertise - she helped him with his studies, and he helped her with her skiing! The happy couple married in 1957. Hugh sought to impress his new bride by setting up a vegetable garden despite weeding being his most disliked childhood chore. That summer the raccoons were happy and fat.

Daughters, Diane and Susi, were born in Connecticut. Seven years later son, Lawrence, was born in Germany. Weekend breakfasts of pancakes, French toast, and muffins were enthusiastically cooked by Hugh - perhaps using skills gained one summer at age 18 while Chef at the Mount Washington Summit Hotel. At age three all three children had skis on their feet and began following their father down the mountain.

Hugh's career began with United Shoe Machinery, then continued with Singer Sewing Machine, Robert Bosch, and Hilti Corporations, giving the family the opportunity to live across the United States and Europe: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Germany, France, South Carolina and Oklahoma.
His expertise in manufacturing and machinery grew on the job, by networking and visiting factories. With diligence this engineer was able to communicate effectively in French and German languages.

In Tulsa, he volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, the Hillcrest Board of Trustees and Research Ethics Board, the Tulsa Global Alliance, Rebuilding Together, and the All Souls Unitarian Board of Trustees and Conservage Trust.

During retirement, Hugh put on a tool belt to restore more than 150 homes with Rebuilding Together (Revitalizing T-Town), to help build the Dennis R. Neal Equality Center, and to maintain All Souls Church facilities. The camaraderie may have been his favorite part.

He and Carol collected stories during their travels to destinations as diverse as China, Tanzania, Turkey, Thailand, Japan, Italy, Alaska, Costa Rica, Egypt, Eastern Europe, Galapagos Islands, and Peru. His active lifestyle continued well into his later years: he summitted Mount Adams, an elevation of over 12,200 feet, at age 69 and helicopter-skied in British Colombia at age 85.

Hugh often attributed his 96 years of excellent health to a positive attitude, moderation, staying active, and the support of his family and many friends. After a short illness Hugh died in the home surrounded by loving family.
He was always deeply involved in the lives of his children Diane (Archie), Susi (Andy) and Lawrence, and grandchildren Joe (Mariah), Mary Ann, Rachel (Josh), Conor (Heather) and Ryan. Nieces and nephews include Raymond Burleigh (Pat), Rodney Burleigh (Christina), Pam Konopka (Gene), Sandie Burleigh, Linda Yamada (John), David Burleigh, William Burleigh, Evan Burleigh (Rose), and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of the life of Hugh Taggart Burleigh will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2:00 pm at All Souls Unitarian Church, with a reception to follow. All attending are encouraged to wear ski apparel. The service will be live streamed beginning at 1:45 pm - allsoulschurch.org/live.

There will be a graveside service at the Webster Place Cemetery in Franklin, New Hampshire at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hugh's memory to Revitalizing T-Town or All Souls Church operating fund in Tulsa. Or checks for the UNH Skiing Program noting Skiing Gift Fund can be sent to: UNH Foundation, Elliott Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824 or donations made on line at UNH Ski Gift Fund Link