Author, friend, and neighbor, Burt Berlowe passed away at United Hospital in St. Paul, on October 28th, 2019, due to a series of complications after a fall.
He is remembered as father, husband, friend, author, journalist, and dedicated peace activist. Drawn to social justice issues, he was a writer and contributor to two books on Compassionate Rebels. To learn more about these books: http://compassionaterebel.com/
He was a steadfast member of the SNG history committee that met regularly for 7 years and put the Seward history book together. He will be sorely missed. He was a writer and contributor to several chapters in “A People’s History of Seward.” For a chapter on urban renewal he interviewed many social activists from the 60s and 70s who worked with the City of Minneapolis to modify the urban renewal plans for Seward East and West and to preserve Milwaukee Avenue. For a chapter on new Seward neighbors he interviewed several East African residents to bring their stories of escaping war, surviving refugee camps, and success as immigrants to the book. He strongly advocated for their involvement in the life of the Seward community. He enthusiastically promoted the book and arranged speaking opportunities so the committee members could share stories from the book. Our committee meetings won’t be the same without him.
His family and friends will be gathering to remember him on December 7th, 2019 at Open Book in the Minnesota Center for the Book Arts at 1011 Washington Avenue South. The gathering will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
To learn more about him: https://southsidepride.com/2019/11/04/burt-berlowe-rip/
or https://www.givemn.org/story/Burt-Berlowe-Memorial-Fund
History Committee members: Rick Musser (sitting), Dick Westby, Marilyn Matheny, Burt Berlowe, and Wendy Epstein at 2014 History Committee meeting.
Dick Westby, Wendy Epstein, and Burt Berlowe at the September 2019 History Committee meeting where they enjoyed receiving the AASLH award for leadership in history for the book “A People’s History of Seward.”
