Barton “Bart” Kaufman, a past baseball player for IU and the namesake of the university’s baseball stadium, passed away on Tuesday at his residence in Phoenix. He was 83 years old. Born in Shelbyville, Indiana, Kaufman achieved All-Big Ten recognition twice and was the second–top hitter in the conference during 1961. He obtained a bachelor’s […]
Barton “Bart” Kaufman, a past baseball player for IU and the namesake of the university’s baseball stadium, passed away on Tuesday at his residence in Phoenix. He was 83 years old.
Born in Shelbyville, Indiana, Kaufman achieved All-Big Ten recognition twice and was the second–top hitter in the conference during 1961. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in life insurance in 1962 and later graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in 1965.
Following his time in Bloomington, he partnered with his father, Nate, in the family business. His father established and chaired Kaufman Financial Corporation. After his father’s passing in 1981, Kaufman took over as the chairman and CEO of the firm, which specializes in wealth transfer solutions for U.S. families.
As noted in his obituary, he was involved in philanthropic efforts, including the Indiana University Foundation, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Congregation Beth-El Zedeck. At IU, he contributed to fundraising for the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, the Bess Meshulam Simon Music Library and Recital Center, Simon Hall, and the Bren Simon Cancer Center.
In February 2012, Indiana Athletics announced the naming of its new baseball facility as Bart Kaufman Field to honor Kaufman’s financial contribution to the program.
Kaufman and his spouse, Judy, are parents to four children and have 15 grandchildren.
