Edwin R. (Bill) Culver III

By VARIETY STAFF

Edwin R. (Bill) Culver III, co-founder of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Producers, died June 11 of complications from Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) in his hometown of St. Louis. He was 81.

Devoted to musical theater, Culver began a 16-year tenure in 1975 as president of the Muny, the nation's largest outdoor amphitheater. He also served on the board of governors and executive committee for the League of American Theaters and Producers from 1985-95.

Culver garnered the Founders Award in 1992 from the NAMTP (now the National Alliance for Musical Theatre) and earned the Richard Barr Award at the Tony Awards the same year for his contributions to the Broadway stage.

A 1938 graduate of Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind. -- an institution established by his great-grandfather -- Culver also served in served in the infantry in North Africa and Europe during WWII. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1945, Culver was given the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

He is survived by wife Aloyse, a son, two daughters and six grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to the Culver Educational Foundation, 1300 Academy Rd., Culver, IN 46511 or to the ALS Assn., 3945 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.