Joseph Edward Beach

Joseph Edward Beach, 60, of Austin, died January 10 at Doug's House, Austin, after a three-month battle with cancer.

Joe was born in New Orleans, graduated from Kennett High School in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and held a bachelor's degree in geology from Williams College and a master's in history from Tulane University.

During his 36-year career in human resources, he recruited thousands of people for positions ranging from medical doctors and software engineers to staff of Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Railroad Commission of Texas. He retired from the Railroad Commission in November.

Joe was a lifelong birder, federally accredited as a Qualified Endangered and Threatened Species Surveyor. For more than two decades, he surveyed nests of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler at Bright Leaf Preserve, Austin, providing data to support protection of the bird's habitat.

He belonged to St. David's Episcopal Church and had volunteered with Austin City Limits and Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. He had provided essential research for William Morgan's book "American Country Churches."

He is survived by his stepmother, Frances Hamilton Oates of Norris, Tennessee; his uncle, Lee E. Hamilton of Norris; several much-loved cousins; and a host of friends.

Services were private. Memorial donations may be made to Doug's House c/o Project Transitions, Inc., P.O. Box 4826, Austin, TX 78765.