Remembering Bob Burgin, Long-Time Educator, Pastor and Mission Arlington Volunteer
Robert “Bob” Burgin, a long-time Arlington educator, pastor, U.S. Army veteran and Mission Arlington volunteer, died Aug. 19, 2022. He was 87.
Mr. Burgin, husband of Tillie Burgin, had served as a pastor through Mission Arlington since the Burgin family started the nonprofit organization in 1986. He most recently served as the pastor of Parkview Fellowship Church.
He is also remembered by the community as a respected educator. Mr. Burgin, who shares the namesake at Burgin Elementary School with his wife of 65 years, served many roles ranging from math teacher to principal during his lengthy career with Arlington ISD. After retiring from the school district, Mr. Burgin served as professor at Dallas Baptist University for 20 years.
Mr. Burgin was born to Joseph and Beulah Mae Burgin, on March 3, 1935, in Jewett, Texas. After graduating from Jewett High School, Mr. Burgin furthered his education at Sam Houston State Teachers College and Arlington State College. He also received a master's degree from North Texas State University, and later an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University.
Mr. Burgin was drafted into the U. S. Army (1958-1962), including a 13-month assignment in South Korea. It was during that time that family members say he and his wife fell in love with the Korean people and their country. The couple answered the call to missions in Seoul, Korea from 1966-1971 and from 1976-1979.
After his time in Army, Mr. Burgin and his wife returned to Arlington where he took his first teaching job at Carter Junior High School. He would later go on to teach at Arlington High School and Shackelford Junior High School, assistant principal of Hutcheson and Gunn Junior High Schools, assistant principal and principal at Nichols Junior High and finishing his long career for AISD as the principal of Arlington High School. Click here to read the Arlington ISD tribute.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by two of his siblings.
Visitation is set from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway in Arlington. The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 at Parkview Fellowship Church, 820 N. Fielder Road in Arlington, followed by interment at Moore Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission Arlington.
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