Walter J. Berkowitz (1892-1966) Papers (KC0104)

Jewish Community Archives (JCA)

Walter Berkowitz was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of William J. and Emilie (Block) Berkowitz. He and his first wife, Erni Stulz Berkowitz, had three sons, William (1922-1939), Eliot (b. 1924) and Richard (b. 1931). They were divorced in 1940. He married Edith Feder Lenk Berkowitz in 1945. She died in 1970 at the age 64.

In 1914, Berkowitz graduated from Harvard University and then returned to Kansas City to join the family business, Berkowitz Envelope Company, founded in 1886. Berkowitz Envelope bought out the Tension Envelope Company of New York and the whole operation's name was changed to Tension Envelope. He was with the firm until his death in 1966. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the firm from 1920 until February 1966, when he became Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Berkowitz was a prominent civic leader in Kansas City, active in support of the Kansas City Art Institute, the Jewish Community Center, and the United Jewish Social Services. He was also interested in world affairs. Walter J. Berkowitz died on March 2, 1966 at the age of 73.

This is a collection letters Berkowitz received from prominent national leaders such as Leverett Saltonstall, Harry S. Truman and James B. Conant, Thomas H. Benton, Will Durant, Bernard Baruch, Dwight Eisenhower and Chaim Weizman (President of Israel.) 1924-1965.

4 cubic feet.

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updated: Monday, February 07, 2011
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