Charles Rilling Beckman

Charles Rilling Beckman died at home on November 15, 2011 with his wife at his side as she had been for 61 years. He was born on September 1, 1925 in Erie, son of the late Grover Cleveland and Mae Rilling Beckman. He was a 1943 graduate of Strong Vincent High School and a 1949 graduate of Parks Air College of St. Louis University. He served in the United States Army Air Force from 1944 until 1946. He was a member of the Tyrian Commonwealth Lodge No. 362 F.&A. M., Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Erie, Zem Zem Temple Shrine. Chuck will be remembered most for his love of his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He built his life around the needs and enjoyment of his wife and their family. He was well known for his commitment to his employees and his community. He will also be remembered for his humility, his generosity, his citizenship, his leadership and his faith. He was the father who served the plates at the dinner table and encouraged his children to engage in lively and sometimes challenging conversation. Chuck held a lifelong interest in aviation and American history. He was particularly interested in the Civil War and was a local expert on its history. Family vacations often included a trip to American colonial history sites, Civil War battlefields, or an aviation museum. He possessed a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor that was never at the personal expense of others. His blue eyes twinkled and his smile broadened when he talked about his family. Sunday afternoon, Chuck could often be found sitting in his leather chair reading a book about politics or history, taking a drive through Fairview and Girard remembering stories about his family, or engaged in conversation with his mother and kids. He was loving, trustworthy, forgiving, honest, slow to anger, and quick to lend a helping hand. His children remember him as the father who taught them life's most important lessons through his example. He spent most of his professional career with The Erie Ceramic Arts Company, a family business where he worked with his father-in-law, the late H. Eric Schabacker, his late brother-in-law, Robert B. Schabacker, and two of his children. He knew each of the employees by name, respected them and appreciated their constant contribution to the company. He retired after 41 years of service as the Chairman and CEO. He is remembered as being very ethical in his business leadership, demonstrating through his personal leadership and example that it is always necessary to pay attention to both the means and the ends when making decisions and planning. Throughout his business career, Mr. Beckman was an active leader in business and community groups. He was a strong supporter of ACES (Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System) and was named the 1986 ACES Man of the Year. He was a past board member and president of the Manufacturers' Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania. He was a very active member of the Rotary Club of Erie where he was a past president, Paul Harris Fellow and long-time member of the Rotary Scholarship Committee. He was a faithful member of the Sarah Hearn Memorial Presbyterian Church for many years where he served as an elder and recently of New Hope Presbyterian Church. He was a past board member of the YMCA and the Erie County Historical Society. Chuck was a founding member of CAME (Christian Associates of Metropolitan Erie) and then Inter-Church Ministries of Erie County. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Schabacker Beckman; their seven children, Jean C. Beckman and her partner Helen Templeton of Evansville, Ind.; Eric C. Beckman and his wife Patricia of Hillsdale, Mich.; Atty. Barbara R. Beckman and her husband Joseph Flanagan of Conshohocken, Pa.; Rev. Margaret A. Beckman and her partner Christy Stout of Dedham, Maine; Sarah J. Krueger and her husband James of Omaha, Neb.; Harriet E. Beckman and her husband Brad White of Erie, Pa.; and Atty. Mary A. Beckman and her partner Michele Garvin of Milton, Mass. He enjoyed 10 grandchildren: John, Carolyn, Jennifer, Michael, David and Joseph Beckman, Molly and David Flanagan, and Daniel and Olivia Krueger, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Stevenson, of Denver, Colo. and many nieces, nephews and friends. Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th Street, on Sunday Nov. 20th from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and are invited to attend a funeral service on Monday at 11 a.m. at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 5440 Washington Ave., Erie, PA 16509 with The Reverend Charles McClung officiating. Interment in Girard Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to New Hope Presbyterian Church, the American Cancer Society, 2115 W. 38th St., Erie, PA 16508 or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be posted at www.burtonfuneralhome.com.