Photo provided to the Times Observer A later-in-life photo of William Burkhart that ran with the annoucement that he would speak at commencement in 1958.

What did his company produce?

“Among them were Lever Brothers’ introduction of liquid laundry detergents, a synthetic bar of soap containing cleansing cream and margarine that was advertised as the first margarine to taste like butter,” the New York Times reported. “It was largely because of the popularity of these and other new products introduced during Mr. Burkhart’s presidency that the financial condition of the company changed dramatically from a series of losses in the early 1950s into a profitable operation.”

As with many high-powered corporate executives, the New York Times reported that Burkhart was “active in civic and cultural affairs as well as in business, was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Harlem Savings Bank and a director of the Philippine Refining Corporation, the Pallas Corporation and Istel Fund, Inc., all of New York.”

He had also served on a host of other entities – Fifth Avenue Association, New York World’s Fair Corporation, Commerce and Industry Association of New York, Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York, Netherlands-American Foundation, Inc, the chairman of Thomas J. Lipton, Inc., as well as Lever Brothers Ltd. and Thomas J. Lipton, Ltd., both of which were based in Toronto.

Library of Congress photo The Lever House on Park Ave. in Midtown Manhattan, then home of Lever Brothers, where Burkhart served as president at the pinnacle of his career.

The New York Times reported that he kept residences at 20 Sutton Place South in Manhattan as well as Scarborough, N.Y.

But in spite of all of his accomplishments, he appears to have not forgotten where he came from.

Once such visit back to Warren was in the summer of 1958 when Burkhart spoke at commencement to the graduating class of Warren High School.

The Warren Times-Mirror reported in the days leading up to commencement that Burkhart “arrived to visit briefly with relatives and friends. Accompanied by Mrs. Burkhart and their daughter, Diane, he arrived Monday to be overnight guests of his wife’s cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Peterson, in Youngsville. Returning to Warren today, they are guests at the home of Miss Mildred Blair, 626 Fourth Avenue, until after commencement.”

The Times-Mirror noted that his wife, Frances, was also a Warren native, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Disnmoor.

The speech that he delivered received pretty extensive reporting in the Times-Mirror.

It is definitely a speech of the times with Russian scare and national security themes as well as discussion of gender roles that aligns with the ’50s much more than it does the 21st century. Here’s is the speech as covered by the Times-Mirror:

Introducing his topic, “Education and You,” the speaker first mentioned many fond memories of his younger days in Warren, saying, humorously, he could recall his own commencement 41 years ago, but not the speaker’s name nor a single thing the distinguished gentleman had said.

Taking up the challenge that today’s class might more clearly remember his words, Mr. Burkhart asked that “you join me in thinking about what education actually means to you and me as individuals, and as citizens of a democratic society in which we are (astonishingly) free to make what we want of our own lives.”

Referring to the fact every discussion of education invariably involves a consideration of the Russian scientist and the educational system which has produced him, the speaker stated: “We seem to be have developed an inferiority complex when Russian educational methods are discussed. I do not minimize the Russian threat, it is present and it is as sinister as it is real, and points to the desperate need in America today for scientists.

“The situation is grave, but the answer is obvious. We must have more and better-trained scientists from our high schools and other educational facilities, for our future security will be created in the classroom and not on the drill field. Never in the history of our country has education been such a vital element of national defense.”

Referring to the various careers open to the male student and describing the process of qualifying and preparing for increasingly better jobs as another name for education, the speaker mentioned some of these specifically: Government, farming, medicine and it’s associated professions.

Turning, then to the girls, many of whom will soon marry and start to raise a family, Mr. Burkhart reminded them: “Automatically, you will assume a variety of new roles, becoming a home economist, dietician, child guidance counselor, social scientist, accountant or even a mechanic or electrician. As your children grow, they lead you to assume new responsibilities, on PTA committees, as Den Mothers, helping your community solve the problems an increasing population will exert on your public school system. Your success in meeting this exciting challenge will be in direct ratio to your desire to learn everything you can about your job as wife and mother.

“The girls planning a career before they seriously consider marriage will find themselves in the same position. Whether you are going to be a teacher, nurse, buyer, an artist or stenographer, you must be constantly studying your job, its demands, its opportunities.”

Returning to his own personal career, the one-time local resident remarked, “What progress I have made was due in a large measure to a good solid education, the beginning of which was obtained right here in Warren High School.”

He urged the graduates to “develop an insatiable curiosity and become familiar with all the fields of knowledge that affect your job or influence the society in which you live. The right kind of education is broad enough to help you meet any situation and find practical answers to almost any problem.

“We have been considering education as a basis for our national security, as a requirement for a better job, continued progress, higher pay and more security, the tangible results. But there are others equally important, the intangible rewards. Through education, you gain admission to what I call the good life, a sense of being alive and a part of the fascinating world in which we live.”

After considering the background and need of continuing education, and looking at the obvious answer, college, Mr. Burkhart congratulated the Class of 1958 on the number of seniors planning this step. “Mr. Passaro tells me,” he stated, “that 44 percent of the 253 members of this senior class have indicated they plan to go to college. This record is exceptional and is, I believe, above the national average. It reflects great credit on the board of education, Mr. Passaro and members of the faculty.”

For those who will not go on to college, Mr. Burkhart asked: “Will graduation today mark the end of your education? I certainly hope not and assure you a whole world of learning is available to you.

“I think it can truthfully be said,” he went on, “there is education within the reach of every man willing to lift his hand and open a book. Your diploma tonight is more than the reward for work satisfactorily completed. It is your passport to new frontiers of learning. Make commencement the start of a determination, backed by actual effort, to continue your education regardless of how you go about it.

“I can promise you substantial material awards and recognition, great personal pleasure, and the satisfaction of knowing that, as an educated man or woman, you are helping to maintain the principles of freedom which have and always will make this country great. These material awards, pleasures and that satisfaction, I wish for each of you.”

The New York Times reported that Burkhart retired in 1964 as the chairman of Lever Brothers and died at the Phelps Memorial Hospital in North Tarrytown “after a short influence” at the age of 77 in the summer of 1976.

“Survivors include his wife, Frantzes, and a daughter, Diane Burkhart. Funeral Services will be private, with burial in Warren, Pa.,” the Times reported.

He rests at Oakland Cemetery, presumably in the mausoleum where his wife was laid to rest.