Burton H. Shostak

Burton H. Shostak (Burt) passed away at the age of 82 on April 22, 2018.  Burt was born March 20, 1936 to Jeanette (Hart) and Louis Shostak.  A lifelong St. Louis resident, he graduated from University City High School and then went on to receive a Bachelor degree followed by a Juris Doctorate from Washington University. Burt served as a captain in the US Army on active duty from July 1960 – January 1961 and then in the Army reserves for 8 years.  He was a member of the Ben Franklin Masonic Lodge. 

In 1960 Burt began his long and distinguished law career.  He served on the Board of Governors for the Missouri Bar, was President of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, was instrumental in forming the Missouri State Public Defender’s System, and an active member in NACDL and the NORML legal committee.  Additionally, some of his awards include being a Lon Hocker recipient in 1971, the Missouri Bar Association Joseph Stevens Presidential Award recipient in 1981, and was a panelist for a Judge position on the Missouri Supreme Court.  As a trial lawyer he was passionate in the pursuit of justice for his clients garnering him the respect of  the judiciary, opposing counsel, his clients and their families, and the entire legal community.
 
Burt met his wife of 58 years, Arleen (Motchan) at Washington University in the law school library and together they raised four children.  He was a dedicated family man, making sure to attend and support all of his children at various events.  In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and spending time in Sarasota, Florida with family and friends.  He took great pleasure in watching his grandchildren in all of their activities.
 
Burt is preceded in death by his parents Jeanette and Louis and his in-laws Paul and Pauline Motchan.  He is survived by his wife Arleen, children Leslie Beth (Bruce) Cohen, Pattie Shostak (Mark Brennan), Elliott (Becky) Shostak, and Grant (Stacey) Shostak.  He was the Granddaddy to Jeffrey S. and Cayley Joy Cohen, Skylar, Riley, and Gillian Brennan, Benjamin and Aidan Shostak, and Morgan, Payton, and Carson Shostak and the late Candace Cohen.  Additionally, Burt was the brother-in-law of Brent Motchan and the late Susan (Merril) Raul and beloved Uncle, Great Uncle, and Cousin.
 
Graveside service Thursday, April 26 at 11:00 am at United Hebrew Cemetery, 7855 Canton Avenue.   Contributions in his name may be made to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, 4232 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO  63108, Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss, 402 Jackson St., St. Charles, MO  63301 or a charity of your choice.
A RINDSKOPF-ROTH SERVICE