Irv Burling

Irv Burling was president and chief executive officer at Century Life of America in Waverly, Iowa, from 1976 to 1993. He also served as deputy chief executive officer at CUNA Mutual Group before he retired. He joined Century Life of America in February 1969, as vice president and actuary. In his tenure at Century Life, Irv drove tremendous cultural change.  He transformed it from a small, conservative, Lutheran-based organization whose reputation was built on low cost life insurance, to a progressive financial service organization ultimately serving millions of credit union members.   

Irv was instrumental in forming the “Permanent Affiliation” between Century Life and CUNA Mutual Group, now TruStage, in 1989. Both he and former CUNA Mutual Group President and Chief Executive Officer Richard “Doc” Heins saw the long-term potential of this partnership to establish a strong future for both organizations. It took special leadership on Irv’s part to lead this charge with his unwavering belief that the combined organization could become stronger through the blending of culture, capabilities and people. Via the affiliation and ultimate merger with CUNA Mutual Group (now TruStage), Irv ensured the long-term success of the company and reinforced its ability to provide benefits and service to its customers and the Waverly, IA, community. 

Irv was gregarious, endearing, bright, energetic, thoughtful, and genuinely cared for others, surprising people with gestures like funding a tractor in the name of his classmates at Harvard with Self-Help, a local non-profit focused on helping African farmers. 

Irv was born February 16, 1928, in Minneapolis, MN.  He lived on a farm in rural Minnesota before moving to Jordan, MN.  Irv’s father bought him a clarinet when he was in eighth grade, and he hitch-hiked thirty miles to Minneapolis for lessons.  Irv found great pleasure in playing the saxophone and clarinet for the rest of his life.  Irv had a scholarship to Augustana College in Minneapolis and after two years transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a degree in mathematics.  He served in the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged with the rank of master sergeant. Irv completed his fellowship in the Society of Actuaries while working at Lutheran Brotherhood.

Irv served as president of Woodlake Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waverly. He was chair of the Wartburg College Board of Regents where there is a leadership chair in his name. Irv also served as vice chair of the board at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. He was chairman of the board of the Life Office Management Association (LOMA) in Atlanta, GA. Irv also served as president of the Waverly Economic Development Corporation which contributed greatly to the vibrant quality of life currently experienced in the Waverly community.  In retirement, Irv wrote a book called Winning Without Greed, about the servant-led principles which he exemplified in his work and in his life. The book is still being used as course material in leadership classes in a number of colleges and churches. 

Irv died peacefully on April 16, 2015, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by daughter Kris Burling, and sons Dan (Beth) Burling and David (Chris) Burling.