Ivan Melvin “Buddy” Kulbersh, 85, of Tifton died Saturday, October 17, 2009 at his residence. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 in Evergreen Cemetery on Industrial Drive in Fitzgerald. Rabbi Moshe Elbaz will officiate with burial to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. George Lindstedt, Rob Reinhardt, Gerald Herring, Dr. Steve Rigdon, Marvin Perlis, Rick Marcus, Ronald Brownlee, Dr. Joe Turner, Iva Lavinsky, Dr. Brian Kulbersh and Emerson Hoffman will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Bell, Gary Vowell, Marty Cohen, Phil Perlis, Hugh Chandler, Ken Martin, Ray Jensen and Brad Sullivan.
Mr. Kulbersh was born in Tifton on November 13, 1923 to the late Harry and Irene Kulbersh. He was preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Murray Marcus.
Buddy graduated from Tifton High School in the class of 1940 and received a BBA degree from the University of Georgia. While at the University, he was president of his fraternity, managing editor of the Georgia yearbook, the Pandora, and a member of Gridiron and the inter-fraternity council.
He enlisted in the Navy in November 1942 and served until May 1946. He served for two years with the 12th fleet in Europe and had the rank of Lt (JG).
Members of the Kulbersh family have been in Tifton for more than 100 years. They operated a family clothing store for 67 successful years. During this period, the Kulbersh family made Many contributions to the support and betterment of our community. Solicitors for worthy causes always knew that they could count on the Kulbershs to do their part and more.
Buddy served for many years as a director of the Tift County Chamber of Commerce and served a term as president. He was president of the Tifton Lions Club and chairman of the Downtown Merchants Association. He is a past exalted ruler and life member of the Tifton Elks Lodge. He was a lifelong member and past president of the Fitzgerald Hebrew Congregation. He married the love of his life, Gloria Abrahams of Valdosta on September 4, 1949 and they raised two fine children, who have contributed greatly to the many years of happiness in the family.
As a young man, one of Buddy’s pleasures was as a blood donor. He was a member of the “walking blood bank” at the old Tift County Hospital on 12th Street and was called on frequently. He later was in the Red Cross blood program and was a regular donor.
Buddy was charitable to needy individuals and for worthy causes. He said many times how thankful he was to be on the giving end instead of the receiving end.
He is survived by his wife and his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Paul and Harriet Kulbersh of Savannah and his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Dr. Alan Sommers of Scottsdale, Arizona; one granddaughter and husband, Dana and Eric Bernath of Atlanta; and one grandson and wife, Dr. Brian and Jennifer Kulbersh of Birmingham, Alabama; and two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fitzgerald Hebrew Congregation, c/o Phil Perlis, 346 Main Street, Tifton, GA 31794 or to Hospice of Tiftarea, P. O. Drawer 747, Tifton, GA 31793.