Former president of Credit Bureau Uffman dies at 84

Kenneth E. Uffman, retired president and chief executive officer of the Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge, died Tuesday. He was 84.

“He was a remarkable individual,” said Terrell Brown, a former chairman of the Credit Bureau.

In addition to management skills — the Credit Bureau eventually became a multimillion-dollar asset — Uffman was always willing to get involved in new activities, Brown said.

In the early 1990s, Uffman founded Project Atlas, which brought Melrose East business, civic and church leaders together to reduce crime and improve the qualify of life in the area.

The volunteers’ efforts resulted in an adult learning center; an elementary school extended-day program; increased neighborhood policing; apartment renovations and demolition of abandoned units; and more religious and recreational opportunities.

In a 1992 letter to The Advocate, Uffman said the area should be referred to as Miracle City, rather than Mall City.

Randy Gurie, director of The LSU Cadets of the Ole War Skule, said Uffman, formerly president of the alumni group, was very focused but cared a great deal about people.

“Anything he opted to give his time and his energy to, he was extremely passionate about it and worked feverishly to do those things he could to improve whatever the situation was,” Gurie said.

Uffman, a native of St. Louis, had been a Baton Rouge resident since 1946. He served in the U.S. Air Force reserves and reached the rank of captain.

He served in a number of organizations, including the Salvation Army, the Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Baton Rouge Consumer and Protection Center and Jump$tart Financial Literacy of Louisiana.

His many awards included the National President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Golden Deeds Award and the National Conference of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Award.

His proudest achievements, according to his family, include his marriage of 62 years to Grace Lyles Uffman; his five Eagle Scout sons, Steven, Scott, Kerry, Keith and Craig; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were pending Tuesday afternoon.