Frederick Curtin Burger

1949 - 2018

Frederick Curtin Burger, 68, departed this life on February 9, 2018, in Anniston, Alabama. A wake will be held on March 24th at 1:30 P.M., at the Peerless Saloon in Anniston with David Hodnett officiating. Fred is survived by his brother, John R. Burger (Gabriela), of Savannah, Georgia. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Robert and Helen Curtin Burger. Fred was born on October 8, 1949, in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended public schools in Atlanta, and, in 1971, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. During 1990-91, he was a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University. When Fred was a sixth grader, he was captivated by the presidential election between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy. He supported Kennedy and attended Kennedy's inauguration in January of 1961. Four years later, he attended the inauguration of President Lyndon Johnson. In addition, as a teenager, he supported and did volunteer work for Georgia congressman, Charles Weltner. His early interest in politics and public affairs eventually led him into a career in journalism. Fred began his journalism career as a reporter at The Macon Telegraph after graduating from Georgia in 1971. He then worked at The Marietta Daily Journal before accepting a staff position at The Anniston Star in 1977 as a general assignment reporter. Later in 1977, Fred began work at The Miami Herald as a beat reporter in West Palm Beach. Even though his first stay in Anniston was short, Fred fell in love with the Model City and its colorful local history. After 6 years in Miami, Fred returned to Anniston and saw immediate success as the star reporter at the local paper. The Alabama Associated Press was unrestrained in its admiration for Fred when it recognized him with its Newswriting Award for the best lifestyle story of 1984. He received similar accolades for deadline reporting and business writing. Fred served as Business Editor from 1991 to 1997 and was named Editorial Page Editor in 1997. Fred retired from full time journalism in 1998. Perhaps he foresaw the dawning digital revolution and the coming challenges of a soon to be struggling medium. Fred enjoyed continued success as a freelance writer, with stories appearing in numerous, respected publications, including The Washington Post; NEWSWEEK magazine; The Miami Herald; The Boston Globe; The Los Angeles Times; The (Palm Beach) Post; Rolling Stone; Country Rhythms; and Golf Journal. Fred's last years were devoted to researching Asa E. Carter, a Calhoun County native both maligned for his incendiary racism and praised for the redemptive quality of his later writings. In 2010-11, Fred provided commentary and served as the associate producer of a documentary film, "The Reconstruction of Asa Carter," which aired on PBS in 2012. He was working on a book about Carter when he died. Fred was an avid golfer, reader and archivist. He caddied for Hollis Stacy on the WPGA World Tour in the mid-1970's. Fred became friends with Willie Nelson in 1978 and visited with him at home and on tour frequently over the ensuing 40 years.