Remembering Burt Dikelsky

The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University is saddened to announce the loss of one of our family members. Burton Dikelsky passed away on November 2, 2019. Burt served as the Center for Performing Arts’ executive director from 1997 to 2011.

In addition to his tenure at the Center, Burt served as an educator in Naperville, Executive Director of both the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera and the Paramount Theater in Aurora, and Arts in Education Consultant at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.

Burt’s lifelong commitment to the performing arts was unmatched throughout the metro area. Over the course of his life, Burt presented thousands of plays, concerts, musicals, and dance performances throughout the region. Burt was dedicated to introducing children to the power of the performing arts and was responsible for expanding educational programming for youth at the CPA and elsewhere.

Burt’s love for the performing arts was surpassed only by his love for his family.

Governors State extends our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Mayo, of 36 years, his son Michael and daughter-in-law Carol, daughter Sheryl (Cherie), his grandchildren Alex and Jacob, his sister Esther Dodt and brother-in-law Bruce, his niece Gwendolyn Parsin.

We will remember Burt fondly, as will the many thousands whose lives he touched through his career and legacy.

An event honoring Burt’s life and legacy will be held at Governors State University Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, November 30 at 11:30 a.m. For updates on this event, and to share your memories of Burt, the family invites you to visit https://www.facebook.com/RememberingBurtDikelsky/.

Donations in Burt’s memory can be made to the Burton E. Dikelsky Memorial Access to Arts Fund at https://www.govst.edu/dikelskyfund/.