Burton Sanford Kruglick

1925 - 2017

Kruglick, Burton Sanford
Burton Sanford Kruglick passed away peacefully on February 12, 2017 with his family at his side. Burton Sanford Kruglick was born in Chicago on May 23, 1925. He was born to Russian immigrants Joseph Yale & Mary Astrinsky Kruglick. Burton received his primary & secondary education in Chicago and in 1943 enrolled at Northwestern University. Feeling that patriotic urge, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18. He became an Aviation Cadet Student in the 67th College Training Detachment. Later he was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers and was sent to Europe. After the war ended he headed for Dallas, Texas and from 1946 to 1957 he was a manufacturers representative for Illinois Moulding Company of Chicago, covering Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. During that time he visited Phoenix where he met Beverly Elaine Coleman. They married in 1950 and in 1954 their son, Arthur Joel was born. Three years later, they became the proud parents of twins, Janice Helene and Jacqueline Dale. Though quite busy with his career with Illinois Moulding, Burton began to develop interest in the commodity business. This led him to become a member of the Chicago Board of Trade in 1953. His business aspirations didn't end there, in 1957, with his wife's advice on the opportunities in the growing city of Phoenix, he and his family moved to Phoenix. Burton joined the brokerage firm of Walston and Company developing his business acumen. He remained there until 1961. That year Burton became the owner of two businesses. He was president of Laundry Equipment Rentals, Inc. which distributed and leased coin operated laundry equipment, and was Secretary and Treasurer of Guaranty Appliance Centers, Inc. which sold and rented home appliances. In 1971, Beverly passed away suddenly and Burton focused on his children, his community and his work. In 1977, he married Gay Conrad Cooley. Burton's community service activities began in 1958, only a year after arriving in Phoenix. He felt strongly that when you receive things from a community, it was your duty to give something back, to make it a better place for your children and grandchildren. The Junior Chamber of Commerce appreciated his attitude and invited him to join. The proof of Burton's leadership abilities and his willingness to take on community service jobs led him into more and more efforts for the organization and for the community. The Phoenix Jaycees named him President for 1960-61, In 1963, he served as Rodeo Chairman and the project was voted number one in the United States. In 1967 Burton was named the Jaycees Man of the Year. He later was named a Lifetime Member, a JCI (Jaycees international) Senator and a JCI Lifetime Member. Burton's civic and community activities extended far beyond the Jaycees. He was active in the Girl Scouts for about 10 years, beginning about 1970 and was past Vice President of the Arizona Cactus Pine Council. In 1973 he became involved with the Boys Club (now the Boys & Girls Clubs of Phoenix). He was president in 1980 and 1981. In 1981 he became the founding president of the Phoenix Boys & Girls Club Foundation: he served four terms as its president. Burton took special pride in his involvement with the organization because it helped to mold young people into productive individuals. In 1978 he became a member of the North Phoenix Rotary Club. Then, in 1980, he was inducted into El Zaribah Shrine Temple. He became a Lifetime Member as well as one of the elite group of Jesters. Burton's interest in education was evidenced by his efforts to help Arizona State University. He was a founding member of the Carl Hayden Society, a member of the President's Club, a member of First Team (a 33-member group which helps provide support for the football team), and a Lifetime Member of the Sun Angel Foundation. Burton, who believed that a strong military is a force for peace accepted an invitation from the Navy League of the United States and Phoenix to join them. Burton also believed that strength must be exercised at home to help those in need, was a board member of the Arizona Shelter Service for the Homeless. He also served as a member of the board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the board of Temple Beth Israel. In 1996 - 1998 he was President of Temple Beth Israel, and he was a Board member of Kivel Campus Care. Burton, a man who gave countless hours to civic and community activities, is perhaps best known for his political activities, which date from 1964 when he was elected a Republican precinct committeeman . He was also, because of his offer to help wherever needed appointed as, the Maricopa County Finance Chairman. In 1966 he was asked to be State Finance Chairman. He accepted and held the post until 1976 and again in 1981-82. During those years he raised more than $12 million for the State Republican Party. One of Burton's first efforts as a State Finance Chairman was to form the Trunk and Tusk Club. Bringing in high government speakers and Republican Party officials from Washington D.C. and elsewhere around the country. This approach helped increased the Republican party finances. That same year he was founding member of the Arizona Legislative Campaign Committee and he became a member of the Republican National Committee's Finance Committee, a position he held until 1976. His posts with the Republican party also include serving as Arizona Chairman for President Ford for President in 1976, Arizona Chairman Citizens for Reagan-Bush in 1980, Arizona Finance Chairman for Reagan-Bush in '84 and Arizona Chairman for Victory '88 (Bush-Quayle) in 1988. He was a member of the Arizona Executive Committee in 1984. Burton was elected to State Chairman of the Arizona Republican party in 1985 and served three terms. He also served as delegate to the Republican National Convention 6 times. He was a member of the San Diego Crime Commission and Lifetime Member of the F.B.I. Citizens Academy of Phoenix. He was a Member of the Boxing Commission from 1997-2002, Past Board member of the Arizona Transportation Board, Past Board member of the Arizona State Liquor Board, Past member of the Arizona Racing Commission, Top fund raiser for the Jewish National Fund Campaigns, 2003 President of the Jewish National Fund. Burton considered the most important job was of that he held since he first entered the political arena, precinct committeeman. He admitted it is a thankless job, but noted that it is one where the really tough work is done. It's that attitude which made Burt Kruglick a community leader who was recognized for his tireless effort and a willingness to tell it as he saw it. Burton will be missed, not only by his wonderful family and friends but by the community he helped, the organizations he built and his strong leadership quality. Phoenicians should be happy that Burton and his family left Dallas to make Phoenix their home, to make this community a better place for your children and grandchildren by giving himself to the State of Arizona. We are very fortunate to have had this man, Burton S. Kruglick, a major contributor to this fine state. Burton is survived by his loving companion Patricia O'Hara, son, Arthur Kruglick (Phoenix), daughter, Janice Kruglick (Scottsdale), daughter Jacqueline Kruglick (Cornville, AZ) & son, Nosh Kruglick (Prescott,AZ.) Stepson Craig Harmon, grandson Jonathan Kruglick and granddaughter Brittany Kruglick, and his sisters, Gloria Lederman & Lois Gettleman. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix, 4309 E. Belleview St., Bldg. 14, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 15th at 12:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85253. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.