Nathaniel Magruder

Nathaniel Fuqua Magruder, 81, husband of Gayle Gravlee Magruder, died at home on Thursday, February 2, 2012, after a brief illness. Born June 8, 1930, in Havana, Cuba, he was the son of the late William Hezekiah Nathaniel Magruder and Helen MacKenzie Magruder. Dr. Magruder spent his early childhood in Hershey, Cuba, where his father was general superintendent of Central, Hershey, the largest sugar refinery in Cuba. While he was in Cuba, he attended the Rushton Academy which was located in Havana. He completed his senior year in high school in Sarasota, Florida. Following high school, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received his Bachelor's Degree in History. During Dr. Magruder's two-year service in the U. S. Army, he was stationed at Fort Jackson in SC, Presidio of San Francisco and Fort Huachuca in Arizona. Following his military service, he returned to the University of North Carolina where he worked as a graduate assistant and completed his Master's degree and earned his PhD in History. Upon completion of his academic degrees, Dr. Magruder began his teaching career at Stratford College in Danville, VA. In 1962 he moved to Spartanburg, SC, where he was an Associate Professor of History at Converse College for 33 years. While he was teaching at Converse College, he met and married Gayle, his wife of 39 years. He was active in the Graduate Education Program and served as the Social Studies advisor for many years. He was a wonderful mentor to these students as well as to the younger faculty members at Converse College. During his tenure at Converse College, he served as Chair of the Converse College History Department for several years and was on many committees. He represented the faculty by serving as President of the Faculty Senate and Chair of the Tenure and Promotion Committee for two terms. During his professional career, he was a member of the American Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association and South Carolina Historical Association. He was invited to write eight biographical sketches for the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, a six volume series, which serves as an invaluable aid to researchers and historians. Shortly after his retirement, the History Department at Converse College established the Nathaniel F. Magruder History Award. Each year this award is given to the outstanding graduating senior history major. After his retirement, Dr. Magruder enjoyed traveling throughout the states as well as many other countries. He volunteered at the Soup Kitchen for many years, and he and his wife, Gaye, delivered meals for Mobile Meals Service. The family is very grateful for the loving care he received from Pearl, Janice and the Personal Care aides at Interim Healthcare. We also appreciate the kind and gentle treatment he received from the personnel at Spartanburg Regional Hospice. Dr. Magruder is survived by his wife, Gayle; his brother, Leonard MacKenzie Magruder of Lawrence, KS; three nieces, Helen Roggenstrom of Washington, DC, Sharon Cox (Steve) of Woodstock, GA, and Susan Hendry (John) of Vancouver, Canada; a nephew, Lee Scruggs of Birmingham, AL; and many great nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends in the Barnet Room in the Montgomery Building at Converse College from 1:30-2:15 PM on Sunday, February 12, 2012. A memorial service celebrating Dr. Magruder's life will follow at 2:30 PM, in the Gibbs Chapel at Converse College with Jason Loscuito, the Chaplain, conducting the service. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nathaniel F. Magruder and Gayle G. Magruder Scholarship Fund at Converse College, 580 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Nathaniel Fuqua Magruder please visit our Sympathy Store.