Richard William Beckler

BECKLER Richard William Beckler "Dick" Passed away peacefully at the age of 77 surrounded by his loving daughters in Los Angeles, California on September 25, 2017. With a smile and a presence that lit up a room, Dick was adored and loved by many, always making time for people he loved. A devoted father of six girls, Dick will forever be remembered as the best dad in the world with a one-of-a-kind spirit and kindness. Born in Brooklyn, New York on March 30, 1940 to William and Mary (Lohrmann) Beckler, Dick, his parents and older sister, Beth lived in Flatbush and later Brooklyn Heights where he graduated from Poly Prep Country Day School in 1957. Dick majored in History, played lacrosse and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts where he graduated in 1961. Dick entered the United States Navy after graduating from Williams where he became Lieutenant Commander, spending most of his time aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Yorktown. After earning his law degree from Fordham Univerisity School of Law, Dick began his distinguished legal career working for the Manhattan District Attorney under Frank Hogan from 1968-1973. He was recruited to the Justice Department in Washington, DC. and after seven years, became chief of the fraud section in the criminal division. Eventually switching to private practice, Dick spent the next 37 years in white collar criminal defense for the firms Fulbright & Jaworski, Howrey LLP, and Bracewell & Giuliani mostly representing corporations such as Halliburton but also many individuals such as Bill Casey- CIA Director under President Reagan. He also served as Independent Director of Rosetta Resources, Inc. from 2005 - 2013. Most recently Dick began a new role in May 2017 as Chief Legal Advisor and General Counsel of the General Services Administration under President Trump. With a contagious enthusiasm for life, impeccable style, and an intense love of music and running, Dick lived life to the fullest but most important to him was his love of family and lifelong friends. Whether it was cheering for his kids on the sidelines of every sporting event he somehow never missed, or enjoying an evening on the dock listening to Frank Sinatra, Dick treasured his family. His six daughters attended Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, MD where he served as a board trustee for many years, also earning a Stone Ridge Father Daughter Field Day award named in his honor, having attended 35 annual "field days" in a row. Dick is survived by his six daughters, Lindsey Loomis Read (Daniel Sheinfeld Rodriguez) of Hawi, Hawaii, Katherine Beckler Cox (Steven) of New Canaan, CT, Ruthie Beckler Gaiser (Sean) of Kensington, MD, Mary Lillian Beckler of NY, NY, Elizabeth Keeley Beckler of NY, NY and Eleanor Suzanne Beckler of Chevy Chase, MD; and his eight grandchildren, Liam, Elizabeth, Veda, Kate, Charlotte, Britton, James and Dolly; his wife Allison White Beckler of McLean, VA, and his sister Elizabeth Beckler Bodnar of Rockingham, VA. Relatives and friends are invited to call at Joseph Gawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, on Thursday October 5, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC, Friday, October 6, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to: www.youcaring.com/dickbeckler
Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons LLC, Washington, DC.