Ira Seymour Nigen (April 17, 1923 -- October 12, 1997)

Ira Nigen, born in New York City, was a brilliant, handsome, kind, and generous man of unwavering principles and towering, soaring integrity. His six foot, three inch stature made him even more of a presence. His devotion to his family was undeniable. His wife of fifty-three years, Pearl, was his soul mate and the real impetus for all his accomplishments and successes. His love for his one daughter, Barbara J. Burka, and son-in-law Steven A. Burka, was evident to all that knew him. His greatest joys were his two grandchildren Jenna M. Burka, and Douglas R. Burka. Family was most important to Ira, as was evident when he and Pearl left their family home in Connecticut and moved to McLean, Virginia to be near their daughter and see their grandchildren grow up. They were one of his greatest pleasures in life.

In 1942, at the age of eighteen, Ira S. Nigen enlisted in the Air Force to serve his country in World War II. Captain Nigen became a navigator and bombardier stationed in Tibenham, England. He flew in the Eighth Air Force, flying twenty-six missions over Germany. He loved to tell people that Jimmy Stewart, the Hollywood actor, was his squadron leader. In 1945, at the end of the war, he was discharged and returned home. He received military honors and was awarded many medals during his years of service. He married Pearl and then finished his college education, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from New York University. He remained in the Air Force Reserves for the next ten years.

Ira was a prominent figure in the business world. He was the marketing director and sales manager for an automotive manufacturer for over thirty years, with the responsibility of training and managing over one hundred employees. He had the utmost respect from his employees and they often commented on his honesty and integrity, as well as his innate ability to get along with everyone and always close a deal with a meaningful handshake.

Ira Nigen never gave up on anything. He left a legacy of that to his family, his friends, and all the people he knew. At the age of 49, Ira was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He went to Roswell Park Hospital for extensive surgery. His family used to say he was like a "cat with nine lives". He was fiercely determined to do everything to beat his cancer and his strength pulled him through. In the next twenty-four years, he never had a recurrence of cancer.

Throughout his life, he always kept his sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes. He thrived on helping others less fortunate by donating his time to many organizations. He cared about the underprivileged and contributed a lot of his time to many charities. He was very committed to counseling other cancer patients and traveled throughout the country lecturing and speaking with cancer patients.

In 1997, at the age of seventy-four, Ira Nigen passed away. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, receiving full military honors.

Ira Nigen was a courageous person with great strength of character whose values and morals are to be emulated. He was a tenacious soul, able to debate any topic with great insight. His thirst for knowledge and great love of reading mirrored his broad range of interests. He had a profound effect on lives with his loyalty to his family, his friends, and most significantly to his country.

Ira encouraged his grandchildren to pursue their dreams of becoming medical doctors. Although he never saw this come to fruition, he would be proud of what The Carefree Foundation symbolizes. This internship acknowledges a life lived well and a life of purpose.