Charles "Charlie" ACKERMAN

1933 - 2017

ACKERMAN, Charles "Charlie" Sept. 10, 1933 - Sept. 22, 2017 Charles "Charlie" Ackerman, of Atlanta, GA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 22, 2017. He was 84 years old. He is survived by his daughter, Carlyn Ackerman, San Francisco, CA; daughter, Paige Ackerman Prill, Seattle, WA; grandson, Dylan Henry Prill; brother, Dr. Robert Ackerman, and step-brother, Alan Rosenthal. Charlie Ackerman was born in New York, New York in 1933. He graduated High School at Horace Mann in New York City in 1951, then received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of North Carolina in 1955. Ackerman went on to serve 2 years in the United States Army from 1955 - 1957. He continued his higher education at the Emory University School of Law from 1957- 1960. In later years, Ackerman also attended Georgia State University to obtain a graduate degree in Anthropology. His graduate degree included a 6 month stint in which he lived with and studied an indigenous tribe in Costa Rica. An icon and leader in the Atlanta Commercial Real Estate world, Ackerman began his career as a tenacious real estate leasing agent working for Alan Grayson Realty Co. in 1957. His competitive spirit and work ethic led him to establish Ackerman & Co in 1967, which is now one of the Southeast's largest full-service real estate firms. Ackerman's vision forever changed the skyline of Buckhead Atlanta with the construction of the first high rise office building, Tower Place, built in 1973. This was followed by other development projects including the Swissotel, now the Westin Buckhead Atlanta; the former Rio shopping center in Mid-town; and Crowne Pointe in Central Perimeter. He also spearheaded major developments in Gaithersburg and Baltimore, Maryland. A large part of Ackerman's real estate success was his desire to not only build a great property but to create an atmosphere that catered to the needs of its tenants. He was instrumental in developing a tenant representation business that won the respect of his peers in the real estate world. After receiving life threatening injuries following a robbery in his home in the late 70's, Ackerman was inspired to found Ackerman Security Systems Inc. He felt that everyone deserved to feel secure in their own home. After great success regionally the company was sold in 2015 to a Canadian investment firm, Imperial Capital Group, and continues to grow nationwide under the Ackerman moniker as a trusted name in providing security. Ackerman's impact on the Atlanta community went well beyond his business interactions. He was the Founder of REAP Atlanta - Real Estate Apprenticeship for African Americans; the Board of Directors of the Buckhead Community Improvement District; National Board of Governors for the American Jewish Committee; Chairman of the Board and Advisory Board Member for Emory University's Michael C. Carlos Museum; Board of Trustees Clark Atlanta University; Advisory Board of the University of North Carolina; Board of Trustee Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta; Board of Directors American ORT; Founder and Member Board of Directors Temple Sinai. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the community. In addition to Ackerman's local affiliations, he was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to serve on The United States Holocaust Museum Board of Trustees from 1990 - 1994. His vision was at the forefront of the final concept, design and building of the National Memorial to Holocaust survivors, based in Washington DC. A renaissance man at the heart of it, he was a voracious reader, art enthusiast, marathon runner, and an adventure traveler, who sought to immerse himself in other cultures whenever given the opportunity. In the 1970s, Ackerman secured permission to drive for weeks through much of the old Soviet Union at a time when the Cold War with the U.S. stifled all but the barest of diplomatic interchange. In 1981, he ventured out with two friends on a three-month odyssey that took him across the length and breathe of the People's Republic of China (PRC) just five years after the country opened its doors to the outside world, prompted by President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. From Beijing, the journey jumped to Bombay, India, (now Mumbai) and a 5,000-mile drive north into the Vail of Kashmir and over the highest road in the world into the barely-known Himalayan region of Zanskar, part of the lore of Shangri La. In support of the noted adventurer Ned Gillette, Ackerman helped break-in the one-of-a-kind "Red Tomato" rowboat along 300 miles of shoreline at the far southern tip of Chile. From Cape Horn, Gillette and three others then rowed the craft 600 miles to Antarctica in 13 days across the most treacherous seas on the planet. Charlie Ackerman was loved by so many friends and family near and far, who would describe him as - unique, accomplished, a man of integrity, remarkable human being, trustworthy, generous, dynamic, one of a kind. His legacy will live on through his work, philanthropy, as well as the time he gave to help so many people professionally and personally during his life. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude and acknowledgement for the caregivers of The Caring Approach, Felicia London, Em Turong, Simon Sears, Ana Arivadera and Weinstein Hospice along with extended family and friends whose care and attentiveness kept his spirit alive even when his physical capabilities were diminished. Sign online guest book at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: Mass General Hospital Parkinson's Research Fund in Memory of Charles S. Ackerman MGH Development Office 125 Nashua St. Suite 540 Boston, MA 02114 A memorial service will be held on October 1, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Temple Sinai with a reception in Charles S. Ackerman Social Hall to follow. Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30327 Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta 770-451-4999.