Burton M. Joseph Obituary (1921 - 2013)

Burton M. Joseph Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 2, 1921, died peacefully in his sleep at 91 years of age on March 14, 2013. Burton was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, cum laude, with a B.A. in Agricultural Biochemistry. He was an “M” letter winner at the University of Minnesota as a goalie for the 1941-1942 hockey teams. He served his country as a pilot in World War II and the Korean War as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He was CEO of the I.S. Joseph Company, Inc., of Minneapolis, an agri-business firm with investments in approximately thirty operating companies. The companies were engaged in the grain and feed ingredient business, export and domestic, involving processing, storage and marketing. Burton led a very active and productive civic life. Among his interests and awards: Member, Board of Trustees, American Freedom from Hunger Foundation; Member, Board of Governors, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Minneapolis; Executive Vice President, Mt. Sinai Hospital; Past President, Temple Israel, Minneapolis; Member, Board of Trustees, Guthrie Theatre; National Commissioner/Treasurer of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL); National Chairman of the ADL; Past Grand Councilor, Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity; Commissioner, Seaway Port Authority of Duluth; Past President of Oak Ridge Country Club; Member, Secretary of Agriculture Advisory Committee, U.S.D.A; Member, Khurum Sunlight Lodge No 112 and 18th degree (Rose Croix), Scottish Rite; Board of Governors, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion; Member, Department of Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for trade; Board of Governors, Alliance to Save Energy, Washington, D.C., Board of Governors, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Member, Advisory Committee, Athletic Department, University of Minnesota; Board of Directors, Jewish National Fund; Member, Minneapolis Mayor’s Council on human Relations; Outstanding Achievement Award, University of Minnesota; Distinguished Alumni Award, University college, University of Minnesota; National Civic Commitment Award, ADL; Commissioner and Treasurer, Metropolitan Airports Commission, MSP. Burton greatly enjoyed reading about the history of warfare, particularly that of the American Civil War. He was also an avid sports fan and for many years was a season ticket holder for the Twins, Vikings, North Stars and particularly the Golden Gophers of The University of Minnesota. Burton is preceded in death by his parents, I.S. and Anna K. Joseph; brother, Roger E. Joseph; sister, Betty J. Greenberg; daughter, Shelley Joseph-Kordell. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Geri M. Joseph; sons, Scott Joseph (Nancy Hamilton) and Jon Joseph (Dawn Felton); grandchildren, Jennifer Kordell (Tim Moran), Rachael Joseph (Matt Beversdorf), Andy Joseph, Mike Joseph; four great-grandchildren, Natalie, Julia, Alexander and Jonah. Many nieces and nephews. Funeral service MONDAY 11AM at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2324 Emerson Ave. S., Mpls. Interment will follow at Adath Yeshurun Cemetery, 5605 France Ave. S., Edina. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Shelley Joseph- Kordell Memorial Scholarship Fund 7158, University of Minnesota Foundation, P.O. Box 70870, St. Paul, MN 55170-3854, or, to Temple Israel, Minneapolis, MN, or, to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The family would like to thank Sholom Home West and Sholom Hospice for their compassionate care of Burton these last few weeks. SHIVA, Temple Israel (Monday 7PM).