SerVaas to be Laid to Rest
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowFuneral arrangements are set for an iconic Indianapolis political leader and businessman. Beurt SerVaas will be laid to rest Saturday. He served on the city-county council for 40 years, 27 of which as president. SerVaas was chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based SerVaas Inc., which owned several companies including the publisher of the Saturday Evening Post. He was 94. Flanner and Buchanan's website lists Saturday's visitation at 1 p.m., followed by a funeral at 3 p.m. at the Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis.
Governor Mike Pence issued a statement Monday saying SerVaas' legacy “will endure for generations to come.”
Current City-County Council President Maggie Lewis says his vision led to “a fair and balanced political landscape” in the state's largest city.
SerVaas was instrumental in “Unigov,” which brought together Indianapolis and Marion County governments in 1970.
During his time leading SerVaas Inc., the company ran some two dozen businesses in industries including European foreign trade, pharmaceutical licensing and manufacturing.
He earned a doctorate in medical science from Indiana University Medical School, as well as a teaching certificate and degrees in chemistry, history and Spanish from IU.
Sources: Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers, The Indianapolis Public Schools Hall of Fame
February 3, 2013
Governor Pence Statement on Passing of Dr. Beurt SerVaas
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Mike Pence issued the below statement following the passing of Dr. Beurt SerVaas.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Beurt SerVaas, whom I consider a long-time friend. With decades of service to the people of Indiana as a civic, business and philanthropic leader, as well as military service to this great nation, Dr. Beurt SerVaas devoted his life to bettering his community and the lives of all those he served. His legacy will endure for generations to come. On behalf of the state of Indiana, I offer my deepest condolences to all those he held dear as they honor the life of this beloved Hoosier leader.”
Source: The Office of Governor Mike Pence
February 3, 2014
Statement from President Maggie A. Lewis, Indianapolis City-County Council
“My most sincere thoughts are with the family of Dr. Beurt SerVaas, one of the most influential political leaders our city has ever known. Dr. SerVaas, often called “the father of UniGov” forever changed the political and governing landscape with his introduction of a consolidation of Indianapolis and Marion County governments. With a passion for service he held a seat on the City-County Council for 40 years, serving as president for nearly three decades. We will forever be grateful for his leadership and vision that led to a fair and balanced political landscape for our city.”
Source: The Office of City-County Council President Maggie Lewis