Burton Cassin Culver

Burton Cassin Culver, 70, of Elkhart died July 16, 2021 at home. He was born October 2nd, 1950 in South Hampton, NY.

He married Alene Racusin on August 3rd, 1985 in Chicago, IL.

Burton is survived by his wife, Alene, his two children, Bradley (Samantha) of Salt Lake City, UT and Brittany of Nashville, TN. Also surviving are siblings Herb, Nancy, and Wes (Val) Culver, brother-in-law, Michael Racusin (Ligita), and nieces and nephews Stacey (Sean), Craig (Devon), Chelsea (Jake), Cydney, Dylan (Danielle), Lukas, Todd (Tim), Lauren (Alessandro), Brandon, and great nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his aunt, Marian Phillips, and family in Westhampton, NY. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Marilyn Culver, brother, Russell, and nephew, Chad.

Burt was an immensely passionate person who threw himself into every endeavor. His love of the ocean began at Quogue Beach Club in Westhampton as a lifeguard. That infatuation continued when he moved to West Hollywood, FL and co-authored the syllabus for the West Hollywood Dive School, where he was also a Master PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). 

Burt was instrumental in the development and success of the first “private island cruises” in 1977. The dive program paved the way for all water sports on future cruise industry products and vessels. The Divers, a part of that program, are a band of brothers that Burt continued to cherish. The cruise ships are where Burt and Alene met.

After the cruise ships, Burt moved to Middlebury, IN where he became a co-owner of Culver Duck Farms, Inc. with his parents. His passion for marketing and sales, coupled with his amazing ability to foster new partnerships with new products, helped build Culver Duck into the second largest duck farm in the world. 

Burt’s passions were his family, his faith in Christianity, BBQ competitions, aikido, music, the Chicago Cubs, and helping the community. Burt helped spearhead the Seed to Feed initiative, which helps feed those in need in Elkhart County. This initiative continued in Vero Beach, FL with the Shining Light Gardens.

We know Burt is sitting on the beach, looking at the ocean, and he is at peace.

The family will be having a Celebration of Life for Burt on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at River Oaks Community Church 58020 C.R. 115 Goshen, IN 46528.  Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to River Oaks Community Church, 58020 CR 115 Goshen, IN 46528, Seed to Feed 907 Oakland Ave. Elkhart, IN 46516, Lighthouse for the Blind PO Box 870490 Kansas City, MO 64187, and the Shining Light Gardens 7275 49th St. Vero Beach, FL 32967.

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