Edward Balk

Edward Balk, 96, son of the late Eva and Jack Balk, beloved husband for 62 years of the late Rita Balk, brother of the late Noma (the late Arthur) Simon. Brother-in-law of Philip (the late Audrey) Chanen. Father of Rabbi Hanan (Barbara) Balk, Mitchell (the late Sheila) Balk, Lynnsie Kantor (fiance Doug Gilberg), and Carla Rhodes (Dr. Michael). Grandfather of Aviva (Aryeh) Needle, Eliana (Spencer) Moore, Shoshana Balk, Sharona Balk, Leora (Rabbi Shmuel) Lesher, Rabbi Willie (Estee) Balk, Dena Balk (Judd Cohen), Nava Kantor (Yoni Blumberg), Eitan Kantor, Noam Kantor, Eva Rhodes, Neeli (Rabbi Eli) Portal, and Aliza Rhodes. Great-grandfather of 21. Father-in-law of Dr. David Kantor.

Eddie grew up in University City to immigrant parents and attended Washington University, earning a degree in history that would serve his curious mind throughout his life. A veteran, he narrowly missed being sent to Korea due to a defective X-ray and ended up assisting the commander of an ordinance base in Texarkana TX where he pitched for the Army baseball team in his free time.

Eddie was the former executive vice president of Solon Gershman, Inc. for over 60 years and treasurer of Missouri Savings Association. He was president of Congregation B'nai Amoona and served as general chair of the 1981 campaign for the Tober educational building. When his daughter Lynnsie celebrated her bat mitzvah, he began reading Torah and soon committed himself to serving as "baal koreh" for B'nai Amoona. He read Torah on Mondays, Thursdays, Shabbat mornings and afternoons, as well as on holidays, for decades until his diminishing eyesight wouldn't allow him to continue. He was able to recite parts of his favorite Torah portions by heart even in his last week. The focus of his philanthropy was the synagogue and its affiliated organizations. He believed the synagogue was the indispensable vehicle for Jewish communal life and for building a strong Jewish future.

At Rabbi Bernard Lipnick's urging, he was a founder of the Solomon Schechter Day School of St. Louis (which three of his grandchildren then attended) and served as its second president after his friend, Harold Guller. He also served on the boards of the Jewish Federation, the JCC and the Central Agency for Jewish Education.

In 2024, B’nai Amoona established the Edward Balk Award for supporting and fostering the congregation’s values as its highest honor.

Eddie was deeply in love with his beautiful wife Rita, whom he met on a blind date. He devotedly cared for her in her final years while she was challenged by Parkinson’s. Together, they hosted many holiday meals for their in-town and out-of-town family and friends throughout the years, exemplifying the love of family to their children and children’s children. Passover was an especially treasured time.

Humility and wisdom seemed to infuse every conversation with Eddie. His zest for life–which included a big laugh, incessant jokes, and insistence that every meal include dessert–will be sorely missed.

Memorial Contributions in his memory may be made to Congregation B'nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141.

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