Obituary
Dr. Burton D. Fogelman, 67, of Cathedral City, CA, formally of Southfield, died on Nov. 4. Fogelman practiced podiatry in Detroit and Southfield for over 30 years, but his real passion was community service, in both the Jewish and secular communities, often bringing the two together.
Fogelman was one of the founders of the Motor City Business Forum and served as president of Michigan Jewish Aids Collation. In 2001, Burt was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 16th Annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Banquet and Awards Ceremony sponsored by Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, the Triangle Foundation and Affirmations Gay and Lesbian Community Center. He was the past president of the Brotherhood of Temple Beth El and was responsible for founding and running their Cuisine Committee that catered numerous Mother's Day Brunches, Confirmation Dinners, Purim Carnivals and the like.
Fogelman moved to Palm Springs, CA in 2001 where he continued his passion for community service. He served as an active board member of the Jewish Federation of the Desert, the Jewish National Fund of Palm Springs and Desert Region, Mizell Senior Center, Inland Empire HIV Planning Council and Temple Isaiah, and was a regular volunteer at the Desert Aids Project and AIDS Assistance Program. He founded SHALOM: a group designed to bring together Jewish gays and lesbians to celebrate their common cultural heritage. Many new transplants to the desert, Jewish or secular, gay or straight, found themselves for dinner or a barbecue in the welcoming home of Burt and his partner Don. "Our father was proud of his Jewish heritage and was welcoming of people of all walks of life…making people feel welcome was his gift," said his three children in a written statement.
In 2006, Burt was recognized for his years of service and his commitment to his community with the "Partners for Life" award at the Desert AIDS Project's 12th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, the largest fundraising event in the desert.
He is survived by his partner of 22 years Donald Crouse, his mother Goldie Fogelman of Southfield, MI and his three children, Marlo of Boston, MA; Randall of Detroit, MI; and Ryan (Aimee) of Columbus, OH. He was the proud Zede of Olivia (7) and Layla (5) of Columbus, OH. Fogelman was the devoted son of the late Max Fogelman and the brother of the late Denise Fogelman and the late David Fogelman.
Contributions can be made to a fund being created in his name at the Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs http://www.mizellseniorcenter.org. Interment took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City, CA. Those that wish to honor the life of Dr. Burton Fogelman are welcome to attend a memorial service in his honor at Temple Beth El in Birmingham, MI Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m..
