Dr. Daniel Everett Nathan

Dr. Daniel Everett Nathan -MACON - Soon after Dr. Daniel E. Nathan's 90th birthday Vince Dooley wrote: "Tom Brokaw's book talks of "the greatest generation." Dr. Dan Nathan is the classic example of America's greatest generation. His faith, his love of and service to his country, and his devotion to his family and his beloved bulldogs are just some of the traits which mark his character. Dr. Dan and I share some common interests: the Georgia bulldogs and gardening. He has been an excellent mentor, especially about the wonderful world of camellias. I am proud to call this outstanding American a longtime and cherished friend." -Dr. Daniel Everett Nathan, physician and philanthropist, died Saturday, February 17, 2007. Services will be private. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 19, 2007 from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. at the Grande in Carlyle Place, 5300 Zebulon Road, Macon, GA 31201. -Born in Tifton on May 8, 1916, to immigrant parents, Edith and Max Nathan, Dr. Daniel Everett Nathan grew up in Savannah, Georgia. He never forgot his humble beginnings, remaining unpretentious and comfortable both in the presence of the common laborer as well as with the famous. He worked his way through the University of Georgia (waiting tables at his fraternity house) and the Medical College of Georgia graduating in 1940 with a medical degree. While in medical school he met Muriel Halprin, a student at the University of Georgia; they were married in 1942 until his death. He credited her with his success in life. -Dr. Nathan was a flight surgeon in World War II, serving two years in Italy. He volunteered to fly numerous bombing missions so that he would know what his fellow airmen were experiencing. He was decorated for pulling an airman from a burning plane. He received the Air Medal, the Soldiers Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, two Air Force Accommodation Medals, and the Presidential Unit Accommodation Ribbon with the Oak Leaf Cluster. As a reservist at Warner Robins Air Force Base, he helped establish base hospitals, inspected bases in Europe and attended the War College. He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1971. He and Mrs. Nathan provided funds for the formation of a Veterans Memorial on Everett Square in Fort Valley and were present at its dedication in August, 2006. -Dr. Nathan believed that one should leave the world a better place than one found it. He spent his life living that ideal. Practicing medicine in Fort Valley for 42 years (1945-1989), he delivered over 4,000 babies including his daughter. He was a co-founder of Peach County Hospital and Fort Valley Health Care Center. He was a Fellow and Diplomat in the American Board of Family Practice, and professor of Community Medicine and Family Practice at Mercer School of Medicine. People still stop to relate stories of how Dr. Nathan delivered them or their children, how he set their broken arm, how he saved their life or how he sat by the bedside of a family member and just comforted them when there was nothing else modern medicine could do. He was never too busy to ease a patient's fears or to help relieve their stress. He always said that if you listened to your patients they would help you diagnose their illnesses. -Dr. Nathan was always first to share his assets and time to make life better for others in his community. He was an active member of the Fort Valley Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, resigning at the age of 89 when he could no longer attend the meetings. In August, 2006 the Kiwanis Club of Fort Valley honored Dr. Nathan with the Distinguished Service Award. He was co-founder of the Peach County biracial committee in the early 1960's, director of Sha'arey Israel Synagogue (Macon, GA), Director of the Federation of Jewish Charities of Middle Georgia, a 32nd degree Mason, and a Scottish Rite member. He frequently was asked to speak on Judaism in the local organizations and churches always fostering understanding and harmony between diverse religious groups. In 1999 Dr. Nathan received the Distinguished Service Award from Fort Valley State University. -Dr. and Mrs. Nathan donated the town clock and carillon to the city of Fort Valley in memory of their parents. In December, 2002, Dr. and Mrs. Nathan were the lead donors in the formation of the Community Foundation of Fort Valley. Dr. Nathan was a longtime director in the Citizens Bank of Fort Valley. He saw his first University of Georgia football game in Savannah in 1928 when the Dawgs beat Florida 2 to 0. He was a member of the University of Georgia President's Club and a University Foundation supporter for the remainder of his life. A founding member of the Middle Georgia Camellia Society, he held various offices including president for many years. He was a director in the American Camellia Society and held many positions in that organization during his lifetime. He was instrumental in establishing the Environmental Garden at Massee Lane. He received many honors in the Society including a camellia named for him. In 2001, the Educational Pavilion at Massee Lane was named in his and Mrs. Nathan's honor. He generously shared his enthusiasm and knowledge of camellias frequently giving plants and scions away. He was a lifetime judge in the American Camellia Society. In 2006 he and Mrs. Nathan were the first recipients of the Tablet of Honor of the American Camellia Society. Flowers from his yard were displayed in the White House during President Carter's inaugural. In 2004 he was still taking blooms from his greenhouse and yard to friends at Carlyle and the sick. When the Nathan family home was sold in 2005, he lovingly gave many of his prized camellia plants to Massee Lane and other camellia growers. Today you can enjoy many of his plants in the Dr. Daniel E. Nathan Garden in Massee Lane. -He believed in the basic goodness of man and in the ability of people to do good, to love mercy, to be moral, and to do what is right by others, tenets of his religion. He was unabashedly sensitive, devoted to his family, his patients, his community, and his country. -Dr. Nathan is survived by his wife Muriel; his children, Dr. David Harris Nathan and Rebecca Joan Nathan, Clearwater Beach, Florida; Sherrie Halprin Nathan and Lawrence Brian Schrage, Gainesville, GA; and a sister Evelyn Bethlahmy, Seattle, Washington. -In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Daniel E. and Muriel H. Nathan Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Fort Valley, c/o The Community Foundation of Central Georgia, 277 MLK Jr. Blvd., Suite 303, Macon, GA 31201; The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 2065, Macon, GA 31203, the American Camellia Society, One Massee Lane, Fort Valley, GA 31030, or to the donor's favorite charity. -Hart's Mortuary in Macon has charge of arrangements. Dr. Daniel Nathan