Donald Faulk Berkman

Mr. Berkman worked many years as a custom picture framer, first in Houston, and then in Austin as owner of Framemakers. Originally a member of the Texas Gulf Coast chapter of the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA), he later became a founding member of the Central Texas chapter. In 2003, he was one of the first framers to be designated a master certified picture framer (MCPF) by the PPFA. He served as a founding member of the PPFA competition board and subsequently as a competition judge and examiner of MCPF certifications. He received the Service Award and the Vivian Kisler Award of Recognition for Innovation at the annual PPFA conventions in 2008 and 2010, respectively. He served as a frequent workshop instructor and colleague mentor. Last January, the Central Texas PPFA chapter surprised him with the inaugural “Berkman Award,” to be presented on a periodic basis to members in recognition of contributions to the chapter and the picture framing profession.

Mr. Berkman was born in Austin on January 28, 1932, the son of Carl Einar Berkman and Lucy Faulk Berkman. He served in the Air Force with a tour in Iceland. In 1953, he married Josephine McInnis; they celebrated their 57th anniversary last October 3rd. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin with a major in Fine Arts. His various talents and interests included photography, painting, pen and ink drawing, theatre, travel, and flying hot air balloons.

The family wishes to thank his many doctors, especially Drs. Elizabeth Rutledge, Hans Haydon, Moya Griffin, Brian Shimkus, Colin Dinney, and Randall Millikan, and caregivers from Heart to Heart Hospice of Austin for their support during the last months of Mr. Berkman’s life. We also greatly appreciate all the friendship, help, support received from members of the PPFA.

In addition to his wife, Josephine he is survived by his three children and their spouses, David Berkman and wife Lucy Jennings (Fredericksburg), Marsha Berkman (Austin), and Karen and husband James Ledbetter (Medina, Ohio), his sisters Janet Maxon (Tyler) and Alice Williams and her husband Tommy Williams (Weatherford), grandchildren Dillon and wife Mikki Berkman, Sarah and Eric Scott, Lucy and Emma Ryan, Justin, Rebecca and Traci Ledbetter, and great-grandchildren Preston and Jaxon Berkman.

The family will receive visitors from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2011, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home.

Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011, at University Presbyterian Church (2203 San Antonio Street, Austin, TX 78705), with Rev. San Williams officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to University Presbyterian Church, Heart to Heart Hospice of Austin (4029 S. Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 120, Austin, TX 78704), MD Anderson Cancer Center (1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030-4009), or a charity of your choice.