Nathan M. Chandler, 39: Began Career at Nortel Networks in Alpharetta

Nathan Michael Chandler died unexpectedly on Dec. 24, 2013.

He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 9, 1974. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and Peachtree City, GA. He was a wonderful son, loving husband and terrific father to young sons Nicholas and Noah. Nathan loved helping others and was a brilliant engineer.

Nathan attended McIntosh High School in Peachtree City and graduated a National Merit Scholar. He then graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Upon graduation he began working as an engineer for Nortel Networks in Alpharetta, GA. He continued his career at Samsung in Texas, and Ditech Networks in California. During those years he helped patent two telecommunications hardware designs. He and his family moved to Raleigh in April 2013 when he went to work with Bandwidth.com as the Director of Product Development. Nathan was always excited and optimistic about his work; it was a source of passion for him. He enjoyed being a part of the team, whether it was lending a helping hand whenever it was needed, brainstorming  solutions, or just listening to others. His career progression allowed him to expand his mind, which was his greatest gift.

His family was his greatest joy, his love, his reason for being. He led his family on many adventures and exciting new experiences such as camping, boating, traveling overseas, and just visiting with family and friends. You could count on Nathan to live in the moment and always act with kindness.  He and his family loved being together and they savored their closeness.

Nathan was surrounded by numerous friends here and around the world. Respected for his insights and cleverness often leading to the right solution, he was unassuming and very quick with a funny joke or comment. His patience and determination made him a rock of stability for those around him. His passion for life and people is reflected in the love he had for Marla, the boys, and those around him. Nathan will be sorely missed. 

He is survived by his wife, Marla Keeton Chandler, sons Nicholas Jacob and Noah Michael Chandler, brother, Michael Henry Gerber, mother and father, Maryann and Brian Gerber, father Steven Chandler, and grandmothers Rosalyn Chandler and Mary Siniscalchi and grandparents, Mary and Eugene Gerber.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013 in the Chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27604. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in Historic Oakwood Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a college fund for Nicholas and Noah Chandler.  Please email Marla Chandler at collegebound0204@gmail.com for details.