Dr. Earl R. Beck

BECK Dr. Earl R. Beck, 86, passed away Wednesday, October 30 following a brief illness. A native of Junction City, Ohio, son of the late Ernest R. and Mary Frances (Helser) Beck, Dr. Beck had lived in Tallahassee, Florida for over 50 years, relocating to the Atrium retirement community in Jacksonville, Florida in 2000. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in 1937 from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and his Masters of Arts (1939) and Doctorate of Philosophy (1942) degrees in History from Ohio State University. He was an Army veteran who served in Germany from 1943 - 1946. Dr. Beck was one of the Florida State University “ Forty-niners”, a term used to describe many of the pioneering male faculty members who came to FSU when the school became a co-educational facility in 1949. He had previously taught at both Capital University. At FSU, he served as an Assistant Professor of History from 1949-1951, an Associate Professor of History from 1952-1959 and a Full Professor of History from 1960-1989. He served as chairman of the History department from 1967-1972 and chairman of graduate studies from 1982-1987. He retired with the designation of Professor Emeritus in 1989. He was the author of 8 books and numerous articles and manuscripts on the history of Germany and Spain and was a noted scholar on post-World War II Germany. At the time of his death he was conducting research on a book relating to post war resettlement of German refugees. Dr. Beck held numerous membership and leadership positions over the years in the FSU faculty senate, the Southern Historical Association and the German Studies Association. He received many research grants and teaching awards, including Professor of the Year from the Phi Alpha Theta History honorary society. He served as a deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee and was a longtime member of Faith Presbyterian Church at the time of his death. In Jacksonville, he attended services of Ft. Caroline Baptist Church. Dr. Beck was predeceased by his beloved and devoted wife of 51 years, Marjorie Culbertson Beck and his sister Vivian Rossetti and brother Clyde Beck. He is survived by his daughters Ann Cro (Stelio) and Sue Howard (Tim) and grandchildren Melinda and Rebecca Cro and Genevieve and Adam Howard. He is also survived by his brother Charles Beck (Jan) and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Monday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the chapel at Culleys Meadowwood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road in Tallahassee, Florida. A visitation is scheduled at the mortuary on Sunday, November 3, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery following the service. Please sign the Guestbook at Jacksonville.com