Burt Sperber inspired, motivated and truly helped thousands of people. He was a strong proponent for water management. He understood the value of water conservation and was always supportive of trying new products to save customers water and money. He collaborated with others in the industry and helped develop many water-saving products over the years. He understood the far reaching aspects of water management. Below is an obituary released Monday from ValleyCrest, as well as a link to the Los Angeles Times obituary.
Please take a moment to celebrate the life, contributions and many accomplishments of our founder, Burton S. Sperber by reading this beautiful obituary below. He was truly an inspirational man.
Burton S. Sperber, FASLA, founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, passed away September 30, 2011 at the age of 82 of complications from surgery. He was born May 14, 1929 in Los Angeles. An iconic figure in the landscape industry and respected business and community leader in Los Angeles for decades, he was counted on by titans in business and real estate to bring their projects to life through landscapes. Ultimately, he was revered for having created a world-class organization but preferred more simple recognition for his horticultural expertise as the “head gardener,” and a devout family man.
Since founding ValleyCrest in 1949 at the age of 19, he led the family of companies with vision and wisdom through more than six decades of dynamic growth to become the nation’s largest, privately-held integrated landscape services firm. Today, the Calabasas, Calif.-based company is led by his son, President and CEO Richard A. Sperber, who joined his father as Co-CEO in 2008.
Burt’s hard work, dedication and shrewd decision-making were coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit, keen sense of adventure and knack for understanding people. A pioneer in establishing high levels of innovation, professionalism and respect within the landscape industry, Burt was a founding member of several state and national landscape associations and was a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects (FASLA). He served as a Director of Los Angeles Beautiful and was a former Director of the Landscape Architecture Foundation.
Recognized with awards and honors throughout his career as a landscape architect, contractor, business executive and for his involvement in charitable groups, Burt’s election into the Green Industry Hall of Fame in 2010, and selection for the Lifetime Achievement Award for Contractor of the Year (1999) and the City of Hope Man of the Year “Spirit of Life” Award (1971) reveal his true legacy to business and the community. Even at 82, Burt came to work every day, revered by employees as the founder and chairman of a landscape services company that earned a spot on Forbes Magazine’s 2008 list of America’s 500 Largest Private Companies.
Equally passionate and accomplished as a magician, Burt was inducted as a member of the prestigious Inner Magic Circle of England, the highest degree a magician can earn, and was one of only a few Americans to achieve such elite ranking. He was also named Magician of the Year in 2011. He got his introduction to magic at 10 years old through his uncle Maury who was a performing magician at the Magic Castle. His passion for magic encompassed a lifelong pursuit of collecting and writing magic books. His extensive collection is one of the largest in the country and includes rare books dating back as far as the 1500’s.
Over his life Burt was active in many efforts to build and support the Jewish community in Los Angeles. He helped to build Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge, where he was made a lifetime member. Years later he was instrumental in the building of the University of Judaism, now American Jewish University, located on Mulholland above the 405 freeway. He was also involved in countless community, charitable and educational endeavors including USC’s School of Architecture and Cal Poly Pomona’s Horticulture program.
A decorated Army veteran who served as a Master Sergeant in the Korean War, Burt is survived by his wife Charlene, and their three children, Ellice Sperber, Michelle Sperber and Richard A. Sperber, a sister Deanna Colton, and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Wendie Jo Sperber, and brother, Stuart J. Sperber. At 16 he met Charlene, was married in 1949 and for 62 years enjoyed a perfect partnership in life, along the way building a family and business. Burt’s hard work ethic and outgoing personality won customers, which was complemented by Charlene’s practical management skills. The creative and adventurous side of Burt was balanced with his deep commitment as a native of Los Angeles to make the city a better place for all.
A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at Mount Sinai Memorial Park and Mortuary in Burbank. The Sperber family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to weSPARK Cancer Support Center at: 13520 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, Calif., 91423, 818-906-3022, www.wespark.org.