A house RESOLUTION

 

to REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF Edwin STRAUSS Pearlstine Jr. OF Charleston COUNTY AND TO HONOR HIS REMARKABLE COMMITMENT to philanthropy and community.

 

Whereas, born in Charleston, Edwin Strauss Pearlstine Jr. was the son of Jeanette and Edwin S. Pearlstine Sr. The family, which included his older sister, the late Jane Pearlstine Meyerson, lived next to Hampton Park, with his Uncle Milton Pearlstine and two cousins next door. He graduated from Rivers High School, and attended the University of North Carolina, and later Tulane University where he met his wife, Barbara. They returned to Charleston where he joined the family wholesale grocery store business, I. M. Pearlstine & Sons, established in 1865; and

 

Whereas, in 1971, he became the fourth-generation owner of the family business, when he purchased it from Milton Pearlstine and changed the name to Pearlstine Distributors Inc. He built the business into one of the largest privately owned businesses in South Carolina. When he purchased the business, Pearlstine & Sons sold three hundred fifty thousand cases of beer annually with only twelve employees. His daughters and son-in-law took over the business in 1992, and when the family sold the business in 2012, there were over two hundred employees and annual sales were nearly seven million cases; and

 

Whereas, throughout his career Edwin treated every person he engaged with as if they were family, regardless if they were a customer, top industry executive, political friend, or one of hundreds of employees under his leadership.  Edwin made a point to lift up his employees, enabling families to purchase their first homes, cars, and send their children to college. Edwin had an amazing capability to remember the small details and always remained connected to those he met. Pearlstine Distributor's Wall of Fame was filled with pictures of employees who had many years of dedicated service to the company, including many twenty-year employees and one fifty-year employee; and

 

Whereas, an active entrepreneur, Mr. Pearlstine was a partner and owner of the South Carolina Stingrays and founded a real estate company to develop The Villages of St. Johns Woods on Johns Island. Mr. Pearlstine's passion for the beer business led to his investment and ownership in the Palmetto Brewery, the oldest craft brewery in the State; and

 

Whereas, his entrepreneurial spirit and innate business intuition served him well throughout his lifetime; however, his greatest legacy will be philanthropy and incredible commitment to community service. Edwin truly never met a stranger. Edwin was a proud Charlestonian and active philanthropist, participating in causes across the Lowcountry and State. Edwin lived by the saying, "service is the price you pay for the space you occupy." His generosity touched numerous organizations and individuals; and

 

Whereas, his philanthropy and service to the community extended to his congregation, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) and the America Cancer Society's Hope Lodge; founding the Hollings Cancer Center's Barbara and Edwin Pearlstine Healing Garden; establishing the Pearlstine Lipov Center for Southern Jewish Culture and the Pearl Theatre in the Charleston Stage West Ashley Theatre Center; contributing to the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital and the International African American Museum; and founding and contributing to the Coastal Community Foundation. After Hurricane Hugo, his family annually partnered with Rural Mission Inc. on Johns Island for decades to provide complete Thanksgiving turkey dinners for families in need; and

 

Whereas, the philanthropy of Mr. Pearlstine's family was recognized with the Frances Salvador award by KKBE, and he received the State of Israel's 40th Anniversary Award. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Mark Sanford in 2008, an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from MUSC in 2002, the College of Charleston's Outstanding Alumni Award in 2008, and the Malcom D. Haven Award from the Coastal Community Foundation in 1999; and

 

Whereas, he was a lifetime member of the Hibernian Society, and a passionate sports fan, especially of the South Carolina Gamecocks, the College of Charleston Cougars, and the Carolina Panthers. He served as chairman of the fundraising group to build the TD Arena for the Cougars. He loved sports fishing and traveled to and fished in eight countries, taking three trips through the Panama Canal; and

 

Whereas, when Edwin wasn't working or traveling to sporting events, you could find him fishing. Edwin loved sports fishing and being on his boat - the Budman. He traveled to and fished in eight countries, and took three trips through the Panama Canal. Edwin often traveled to the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas where he became a regular in the Treasure Cay community. He also helped many local Bahamians with their education, medical care, and housing; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Pearlstine served as president of the South Carolina Beer Wholesalers Association and was a member of the Wholesaler Panel for Anheuser Busch. He was president of the Jewish Community Center in 1975, chair of the local Operation Exodus initiative, and president of the Hebrew Orphan Society in 1981. He served the State of South Carolina as chairman of the South Carolina State Aeronautics Commission and chairman of the State Retirement Systems Investment Panel; and

 

Whereas, Edwin was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, and sister, Jane Pearlstine Meyerson. He is survived by his two daughters, Susan Pearlstine and Jan Lipov, and Jan's husband Larry Lipov, who was a loving and devoted son-in-law; his grandchildren Amy Foster Bower (Joseph), Dana Foster McAfee (Weston), Michael Foster, Edwin "Win" Pearlstine Lipov, and Halle Langer Lipov; three great grandchildren, Barbara Pearlstine Bower, Dorothy Williams Bower, and Beau Fisher McAfee; and his nieces Cathy Meyerson, Ellen Sheridan, and Carol Rice. The South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Edwin Pearlstine and for the example of philanthropy he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, remember and celebrate the life of Edwin Strauss Pearlstine Jr. of Charleston County and honor his remarkable commitment to philanthropy and community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Edwin Strauss Pearlstine Jr.

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