Fred Arthur Beckman

Obituary

Class 1945

August 5, 1928 – Dec 16, 2011

Fred Arthur Beckman was born August 5, 1928 on the family homestead in Sweet, Idaho. His father, Albert Clarence Beckman was born June, 9, 1894 in Sylvan Grove, Lincoln Co. Kansas. His mother Lillian Inez Hilbert was Born July 3, 1899, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Fred was the fifth of ten children. Growing up on the farm, he learned to work hard which included the driving an eight-horse hitch of which he was very proud.

Fred attended Emmett High School and graduated from the University of Idaho, College of Agriculture in 1950. Upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Officer’s Reserve Corps, Army of the United States. He completed his service as a Captain.

He married the love of his life, Joy Bullock, in July 1950. They had three children. Fred Beckman taught by example, he was first and foremost a wonderful husband to his wife, a kind and caring father, and a devoted educator. He taught Vocational Agriculture in Idaho for 39 years.

Fred Beckman was an excellent teacher and man of many accomplishments. He served nine years on the Governor’s Advisory Committees under three Governors with three years as chairman. He served as vice president and president of the Idaho Education Association Region 3, and served on the Political Action Committee, for the Idaho Education Association for four years.

Along with 500 educators he was invited by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a White House Conference on Education, and was Vice president, Region 1, National Vocational Ag Teachers Assn. He served as President, Idaho Vo Ag Teachers Assn and was a member of the University of Idaho Consulting Council. He co-authored a revision of Idaho Vocational Agriculture record book and helped establish core curriculum for Idaho Vo Ag teachers.

Some of the awards he garnered over a lifetime of service included the following: Outstanding teacher of Vo Ag in Region 1, Vocational Ag Teachers Assn; Norco Inspirational Award, State of Idaho outstanding Vo Ag instructor; Citizen of the Week, Idaho Daily Statesman; Geigy Professional award for student and community involvement; Honorary American Farmer Degree, the highest honor of the Future Farmers of America; Odd Fellows Professional award for contributions to vocational education; Weiser Teacher of the Year, 1990, Weiser High School; National Assn of Agriculture Education Outstanding Service Citation 2000-2001

Fred joined Lions Club in 1961 and was an active member of chapters in Council, Weiser, and Meridian. He was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the 2001 Meridian Rodeo.

He is survived by his sister, Ester Deckard and his brother, Stewart Beckman; by his brothers-in-law, Neil Winslow and Craig Bullock and his sister-in-law, Alice Maher; by his son, Paul Beckman, and his two daughters, Lynden Charlson and Susan Roghani. He has six grandchildren, Amy Pomeroy, Wade Charlson, Joe Charlson, Roshan Roghani, Thomas Beckman and Katie Beckman, and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please provide contributions to the two causes he cherished most, education through the John & Marty Mundt Agricultural Education Scholarship, University of Idaho Foundation, P.O. Box 443147 Moscow, ID 83844 or community service through the Meridian Lions Club P.O. Box 266, Meridian, ID 83680

A viewing will be held Sunday the 18th between 1 and 6 pm at Potters Funeral Chapel, 228 East Main Street, Emmett, ID. The Funeral will be held Monday the 19th at 1PM followed by interment at the Emmett Cemetery.

From Idaho Statesman – Dec 16, 2011