The drummer Allen Berk, 90, died on Aug. 28 after being a member of Local 802 since 1956. His family submitted the following tribute, which was also published here:

Allen Berk was a devoted lover of life and family who founded the Allen Berk Orchestra in New York City in the 1950s. Born in Detroit and raised in Cincinnati, he found refuge in Buddhism after overcoming early childhood hardships, personal challenges and gross experiences of anti-semitism. He was a pioneer member of the Value Creation Society of SGI-USA and, for the 55 years of his Buddhist practice, he strove to break down walls of differences, maximize the potential of life, see every person as a unique individual, and affirm that all people have the never-ending ability to grow, change and evolve. He wanted to truly understand everyone who he met. Allen was also an avid numismatist and coin collector, a hobby that was inspired by his curious mind, artistic talent, love of history and extensive travel around the world. The family suggests donations to Soka University, which is dedicated to helping people nurture their unique talents. Donations can be made at give.soka.edu (be sure to notate that the gift is in tribute to Allen Berk), or call Linda Kennedy at 949-480-4072.

Allen was a devoted and adoring husband to Marylou Delfino Berk, loving dad to George, Pamela and Valerie, sons-in-law Shyam and Dan, grandfather to David and Matthew, brother-in-law to KC Delfino and Marshall Levinson, and a proud uncle to Morgan and Fiona.

— the family of Allen Berk