Saugerties – Nelson G. Burhans died Thursday, March 12, 2015 at home surrounded by friends and family. He was 84 years old. Born May 17, 1930, he was the son of Nelson and Florence Burhans.

He graduated from Saugerties High School in 1948 and Hartwick College in 1952 with a B.A. in History. While at Hartwick, Nels served as Field Representative to his college fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon. Following graduation, he entered Gettysburg Seminary majoring in Practical Theology, graduating in 1956. After Seminary, he returned to Hartwick College as Public Relations Manager and the first Alumni Secretary. In 1958 he began working for Amos Post Company in Catskill and remained there as the Credit Manager until retiring in 1995.

A member of the Catskill Glee Club since 1946, he was honored to be chosen as its conductor in 1986, replacing the renowned Donald S. Fellows. Nelson remained in that post for 22 years until 2008. From 1958 until 2013 he was a member of both the Yankee Male Chorus Association and the Mohawk-Hudson Male Chorus Association. He was also a member of the Conductor's Club of New York in NYC.

An active communicant of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in West Camp, he served on the church council for many years as well as several capacities for many local community civic organizations. He was instrumental in the Village of Saugerties acquiring the Kiersted House which is now managed by the Saugerties Historical Society, of which he is a past president.

Survivors include his nephew Deane Springstead and his wife Donna of Hyde Park; his niece Jeanne VanWagner and her husband Robert of Tivoli; several great nieces and great nephews; and cousin by marriage Marianne Burhans of Saugerties and her sons Eric and David. He was pre-deceased by both of his sisters, Jennie Burhans on December 23, 1970 and Flora Springstead on January 11, 2015.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in West Camp. Pastor Paul Walley will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery in the Spring. Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Buono Funeral Service, Inc., Main Street Chapel, Saugerties, NY. In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations in his memory to the General Fund of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, PO Box 47, West Camp, NY 12490 or Hospice, 400 Aaron Court, Kingston, NY 12401. Please offer you condolences for Nelson at www.BuonoFuneralService.com .