​William N. Burgen
Class of 1956
1929-2018

William was born in Auburn, California and grew up on the Applegate Fruit Ranch.  In 1951 he was drafted into the Army and served Korea as a forward artillery observer. Following his discharge from the military he married Imogen Schlossin in January 1953. William received his B.S. degree in Wildlife Management in January 1956 and in April began his career with the National Park Service.  He started his career at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in April 1956.  Other assignments included: The Blue Ridge Parkway, Yellowstone National Park, Death Valley National Monument, Chief Ranger at Shenandoah National Park, Superintendent Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Albright Training Academy at the Grand Canyon, and Assistant Superintendent of Yosemite National Park from 1977 to 1984.  William retired from the National Park Service in 1984.  In retirement William and Imogen lived in Applegate, California before moving to Luray, Virginia in 2010.While attending Humboldt State he was a proud member of CU.