Morris Mirkin (September 18, 1918 – June 27, 1985) was an American businessman who founded Budget Rent-a-Car.
Biography
Mirkin was born to a Jewish family[1] in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of immigrants from Russia.[2] Mirkin served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.[2] In 1958, he opened the first Budget Rent-a-Car office at Wilshire and Robertson boulevards in Los Angeles.[2] In 1960, he was joined by Jules Lederer and they incorporated the company as Budget Rent-a-Car Corporation.[3] In 1968, they sold Budget to Transamerica Corporation.[2]
Mirkin was a thoroughbred horse breeder with wins including the Hollywood Park Gold Cup and the All-American Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.[2]
Personal life
Mirkin was married to Judith Carole Lindenberg on March 9, 1952, and they had three children; Jeffrey Randall Mirkin, Margaux Karen Mirkin and Mitchell Anthony Mirkin. They were divorced in 1976. Mirkin married Claudia Mirkin in 1978; she has four children.[2] He died of cancer on June 27, 1985, at his home in Beverly Hills.[2] Services were held at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.[2]
Mirkin established the Morris Mirkin Foundation which was dedicated to helping children with learning disabilities.[2]
References
- Danna Sue Walker. People & Places: Gala to honor pillars in Tulsa Jewish community Tulsa World, October 11, 2011^
- Morris Mirkin, Founder of Rental Car Company, Dies Los Angeles Times, June 30, 1985^
- King, Sharon R. Jules W. Lederer, 81, Salesman and Budget Rent-a-Car Founder The New York Times, January 23, 1999^