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David Gutkin

September 12th, 2003

Sheboygan native David Gutkin died June 23 in Phoenix, Ariz., where he had lived since 1990. He was 88.

He was a founding member of Sheboygan’s first AZA chapter and was a star basketball player, which he said was the highlight of his youth.

In the 1930s, he started a wrecking yard and automotive parts store in Sheboygan. Known for his physical strength, his family said he could tear cars apart with his bare hands. Later, he established a real estate development company and became an investment counselor.

According to his family, “One of his greatest accomplishments was graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the age of 58.”

Active in B’nai B’rith, he was a past president of his lodge and received its Man of the Year award. Further, he belonged to Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue, was a member of the Jewish Welfare Fund Board and of the Wisconsin Board of Realtors.

After his move to Phoenix, he was a volunteer at the St. Vincent De Paul Society, serving food to the needy. His special interests included spending time with his family, reading, sports, dancing and playing pool.

His family added that he believed “the secret to life was to love and be loved.”

He is survived by his wife, Fran Gutkin (nee Turnansky); daughter Saralee Begun of Glendale; son Jerome (Anita) Gutkin of Phoenix; sisters Delores Kramer of Glendale and Hazel Sparber of Munster, Ind.; brother Arthur Gutkin of Phoenix; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death in 1955 by his first wife, Ann Gutkin (nee Luber).

Rabbi Gideon Goldenholz officiated at the funeral. Burial was in Mound Zion Cemetery.

Memorials to the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization of Wisconsin would be appreciated by the family.