Norman D. Burkett

Norman D. Burkett, whose legendary career as president of Hamilton Healthcare System and lifetime leadership in civic affairs enriched the lives of fellow citizens and epitomized the ideal of service to others, died on Thursday, June 17, 2010, following an extended illness. He was 84.
A beloved husband, father and grandfather, a revered colleague and a warm friend, he was widely known for his passionate pursuit of excellence in the cause of good works. Respected equally for his large-scale public projects and small, intimate acts of kindness, he endeared himself to generations of friends and admirers. For him, friendship was a sacred bond to nurture throughout life.
During almost 40 years as Hamilton’s administrator, he shepherded its growth from a small rural hospital to an acclaimed regional health system. In the process, he was elected by peers to state, regional and national posts, including the chairmanship of the American College of Health Care Executives in 1978.
A man of broad vision and boundless energy, he brought the most innovative concepts in health care delivery – from hospice to wellness – to Northwest Georgia long before they were adopted by many hospitals in major urban centers. He procured the largest health care construction grant ever awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission at the time and inspired residents of Whitfield County to become generous benefactors of their health system’s flourishing philanthropic foundation.
He cited his experience as a young Navy medical corpsman in World War II for his desire to see that people, regardless of their rank in life, receive the same skillful and caring treatment. His philosophy was to provide every patient with the finest facilities and highest quality care possible.
A native of Okeechobee, Florida, he attended Berry College and Emory University, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia. He completed additional studies in health care administration at Cornell University, later serving as preceptor for graduate students in the field at Georgia State University and the Medical College of Virginia.

He served as a Navy corpsman in World War II, and was later commissioned as a medical service corps officer in the United States Air Force Reserve, where he achieved the rank of Captain.
His successful career at Hamilton drew statewide and national attention. He was appointed by three Georgia governors to health policy councils and served as a trustee of the American Hospital Association. He was elected president of the Georgia Hospital Association in addition to the national chairmanship of the American College of Health Care Executives.His formidable record of health care accomplishments drew the highest accolades. They included the Georgia Hospital Association’s first Gold Honor Award of Excellence, the Southeastern Hospital Conference’s Distinguished Service Award, and the American Hospital Association’s Citation for Meritorious Service.
Long active in civic affairs, he served three terms as chairman of the Water, Light and Sinking Fund Commission of Dalton Utilities and as a founding director of the Northwest Georgia Community Foundation.
He chaired the Governmental Operations Review Committee for the City of Dalton, served as a trustee of Shorter College and was a commissioner of the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. He chaired the Target Tomorrow Task Force and served 25 years on the Hardwick Bank Board of Directors.
He was the recipient of numerous civic honors. He was chosen Dalton’s Man of the Year in 1960, by which time he had already transformed Hamilton’s facilities and level of care. He subsequently received the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award for outstanding community service, the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation’s Humanitarian Award, the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, and the Berry College 1992 Alumnus of the Year Award. He was named 2007 Laureate for Junior Achievement’s Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame.
A member of Dalton First Presbyterian Church, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Bobbie Penn; two sons, Norman D. (Melissa) Burkett, Jr. of Athens, GA, and Timothy Eugene (Rosa) Burkett of Atlanta, GA; and five grandchildren: Norman Alexander Burkett, Alison Ruth Burkett, Mark Alexander Burkett, Paul Francis Burkett and Carlie Elizabeth Driver.
Services will be held Monday at 3 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Walter Jones and Dr. Mickey Shealy officiating.
Private burial will be in West Hill Cemetery
The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of the Church, Monday from 1 to 3 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation for Royal Oaks, PO Box 1168, Dalton, GA, 30722; First Presbyterian Church, 510 South Tibbs Road, Dalton, GA 30720, or the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, PO Box 942, Dalton, GA 30722-0942, or to a favorite charity.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.