Walter J. and Edith E. Best Foundation Scholarship
Walter J. Best was born in poor circumstances in Chicago in 1892. His formal education ended in grammar shcool and he was sent to do menial labor to help support his family. After serving with the Army in WWI he fortunately obtained a job in the Chicago Stockyards with the Armour Company.
It was during this time he met William Donovan, a coworker in the plant. Both were appalled at the antiquated, clumsy and cruel manual methods used to slaughter animals. In 1922 they formed a partnership named Best and Donovan (B&D) to develop and manufacture power meat cutting equipment. By 1927, their pioneering methods and machines lead the way to safe equipment for employees to operate.
While at Armour, William met a secretary named Edith “Perk” Perkins. She too was born of poor circumstances in the small town of Janesville, Wisconsin. As a young girl her father was murdered and she was left with her distraught, unemployed mother. Perk left home for Chicago to seek employment to support herself and her mother.
Walter and “Perk” were married in 1931 during the Great Depression. While the new company struggled to become known, Perk was instrumental in the success of the young company that now had a variety of cutting machines.
Today B&D brand meat cutting equipment is found in packing houses around the world. The Best and Donovan name has been synonymous with quality in the meat packing industry since 1927.
Walter and “Perk” led simple lives. Recognition was never a priority. In their free time, they enjoyed travel and golf. Walter's daily routine began at six in the morning in his office and ended golfing with “Perk” by four in the afternoon.
Though they did not have any children, Walter and "Perk" had a great love of and concern for children. Their difficult childhoods left a mark they wished to spare other children from. In their estate, they created a foundation to provide for the welfare of children in the Chicago area. “This will be our best and final gift.” they said.
Each year, one student from St. Charles North High School is chosen to receive the Walter J. and Edith E. Best Scholarship. That scholarship is given through St Charles Singers. The application deadline is April 15, 2010.
