Dale E. Burklund

Class of 1993

Dale was president of Burklund Distributors, Inc. at the time of his induction. He joined the Springer Burklund Co. in 1942 and in 1992 was honored with a 50-year company award. In 1969 he was named president of the successor firm to Springer Burklund, Burklund Distributors.

He attended Purdue University and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Upon his return from service, he married Shirley, raising four children.

Dale was active in both industry and community affairs, elected president of the Illinois Association of Tobacco and Candy Distributors in 1968 and 1969, and was a director and member of that organization’s Executive Committee. In 1975 and 1976, he was president of the National Candy Wholesalers Association and was instrumental in initiating the NCWA’s Blood Program and its Scholarship Fund.

He has been publicly recognized for his industry activities in many ways, receiving the NCWA/IATCD Distributor of the Year Award and the prestigious Roger Osmon Award from the NCWA. Dale was president of Kellar School District III in his hometown from 1960 to 1965, was district chairman, Boy Scouts of America, in 1969.