Beurt R. SerVaas*

Born in 1919 in Indianapolis, Beurt SerVaas grew up during the Great Depression. After losing work as a salesman, his father was jobless for two years. During this time, his mother worked as a full-time teacher for half-time pay. Young SerVaas pitched in and carried two paper routes, did housework, and helped care for his younger brother and sister.

During his teens, SerVaas edited the high school newspaper, became an Eagle Scout, and earned his amateur radio license. At the same time, he pursued both academic and commercial courses in school and helped the family finances by selling oil to garages and truckers. His grades and activities in high school earned him a scholarship to Indiana University's Extension Division, where he worked as a janitor to earn his board. Next, he enrolled at the University of Mexico, living with a Mexican family and earning his keep by teaching the children English. Then he returned to finish at Indiana with degrees in chemistry, history, and Spanish, along with a teaching certificate.

SerVaas began his career building low-cost housing, but his plans were cut short by World War II, which he spent as a naval officer in China for the Secret Intelligence Division of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). After the war, SerVaas took $5,000 in savings and returned to Indianapolis to begin again. Eventually, he purchased and successfully reorganized more than 20 small- and medium-sized diversified companies. In 1970, he acquired and became chairman of Curtis Publishing Company, which published more than a dozen magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post. His business empire, SerVaas, Inc., eventually included 21 companies that specialize in everything from European foreign trade to pharmaceutical licensing and manufacturing.

As a member and president of the Indianapolis City Council for 37 years, SerVaas was an unabashed booster of the Hoosier capital. He often said Indianapolis was "a dirty old city" that had never really recovered from World War I, let alone World War II. Under his tenure, the city and surrounding Marion County were consolidated under the model of Uni-Gov to make a more efficient government, with Indianapolis quickly ranking 14th in size in the nation.

With an avid interest in health and medicine, SerVaas entered Indiana University Medical School as a part-time student when he was in his 40s, earning a doctorate in medical science. He became involved in medical research as well as the development of new drugs and instrumentation aimed at the 21st century practice.

Through a foundation, SerVaas and his wife, Corey, continued to publish Saturday Evening Post and several children's magazines such as Jack & Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Weekly Reader Magazine, Children's Digest, Child's Life, and Turtle. "Educating our children is so important," said SerVaas. "That's why I am so enthused about what the Horatio Alger Association is doing to help deserving youth with their education."