Milton Miles Beckwith

Other Events:

• Also Known As: Milton Morris von Beschwitz
• Census: 1910, 2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1920, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1930, 1516 Ardmore Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Notes:

Milton changed his name from Milton Morris von Beschwitz. The Morris was probably an Anglicized Moritz.

Rescue Three Canoeists.

Most spectacular of the lake rescues was that of three youths, whose sailing canoe was capsized by high waves half a mile out from the foot of Pratt boulevard. Three life guards from the Toughy beach, Sommers, Van Beschwirtz (sic), and Tresch, rowed out at the risk of their own lives to save them.

The rescued canoeists, numbed by the cold and the lashing of high waves are Harvey Cohen, 1110 Pratt boulevard; Albert Levin, 5474 Harper avenue, and Major Lawrence, 1311 Farwell avenue. All are about 18 years old.

Saturday, October 10, 1981

Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet

11 AM

Memorial service of Milton M. Beckwith.

Born Sept. 27, 1901 - Chicago, Illinois

Died Aug. 25, 1981 - Dunedin, Florida

Married Sept. 24, 1927 to: Marjorie Mateer Beckwith

One son: Robert M. Beckwith

Three grandsons: Robert, John and David Beckwith

Two great granddaughters: Crystal and Yvette Beckwith

One surviving brother: George L. Beckwith

Milton Miles Beckwith was the eldest of three sons born to George and Maude von Beschwitz. As a teenage youth he became interested in a relatively new organization, the Boy Scouts of America which was rapidly growing throughout the nation. Milton was one of the organizers of Boy Scout Troop 87 at the Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Covenant Church in Chicago. This initial interest in helping other people through a youth organization was to become the ultimate cornerstone of his life. More than 20 years later he returned to the same troop with his son as scout and he as scoutmaster. It was this service to youth during World War II which helped fill the gap left by younger scout leaders engaged in military defense of their country. During his youthful days and continuing into his college years, Milton and his brothers became excellent swimmers over the vigorous objections of his mother who always feared the water. A strong believer that anyone could learn to swim with just a pail of water, Milton spent many summers as a life guard at the beaches of Chicago or the YMCA camp at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin ... again typical of his concern for the welfare of others, primarily youth.

During his years at Northwestern University from which he earned his degree in Business Administration Milton continued swimming. He won many honors as a member of the University's swimming team. Later while obtaining a law degree from the Chicago Law School he became a member of the Illinois Athletic Club swimming team. During this period he sharpened his competitive spirit by joining a team mate in lively pursuit of ducks swimming in one of Chicago's boat harbors.

While the team mate, Johnny Weismueller, went on to Olympic fame and movie stardom as "Tarzan", Milton settled down to marriage, raising a family and joining the credit department of Marshall Fields. But the memorable experiences Milton had swimming with, and sometimes against, "Tarzan" have become legendary to his family and friends.

Following his interest in scouting, Milton turned his career from the field of credit management to the field of youth development. To help young people gain an appreciation of the free enterprise system and learn how to successfully operate their own small businesses, Milton became manager of a Junior Achievement center on the northwest side of Chicago. Working with boys and girls of all backgrounds and religious beliefs and with the schools and business leaders, Milton built a J. A. youth program that lacked a counterpart anywhere in the city.

His life, his love for youth, his words of wisdom and counsel to the young, his knack of stimulating youth's creative spirit has been imparted in the minds and hearts of thousands of former J.A.ers who are today's adult leaders.

For seventeen years Milton, known affectionately as "Mr. B" by his J.A.ers, served the teenagers of Chicago's northwest side ... and he served to help build in others an appreciation of our economic system which has helped make this a nation great.

Upon his retirement Milton entered what may be regarded as the most beautiful and rewarding phase of his life. The time had come to serve as elder statesman ... to impart the family heritage and fulfill all the other important responsibilities of being a grandfather. And the time had come to enter into a closer spirit with the creator and those He created.

As a young man Milton was very active in church work and served as Sunday school superintendent ... now as a retired citizen he returned to an active role in the Presbyterian Church of Evanston. As trustee of the church he found many ways to be of service.

While his working years left no time for Milton to join organizations for his personal fulfillment, he now made up for this neglect by joining the Masonic Lodge of Evanston. His commitment to this brotherhood, as to his work in Junior Achievement, resulted in exceptional achievement and advancement. His unselfish service and the deep respect he held for others brought about a deep inner sense of self esteem.

Shortly after becoming a Shriner, Milton and his wife, Marjorie, left the confines of Chicago area and for the next ten years "to the day", August 25, 1971 to August 25, 1981 established a new life in Dunedin (Dun nee' din), Florida. A happy ten years, he found many wonderful new friends and time to travel and enjoy a relaxed social life. This was the time of life when Milton's keen sense of humor and love to engage in hilarious antics showed at its finest ... and warmed the hearts of all ... and filled the air with howls of laughter.

And till his end on this Earth, Milton Beckwith never stopped swimming ... like a fish under water, or a porpoise cresting the surface, his graceful form never aged.

Milton competed in life as he competed as a swimmer ... always with grace, determination, and poise. He did not become an Olympian nor a cinema star, but he did become "our" Tarzan ... and for this he will swim in the heavens of our Lord and we shall follow his wake.
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Reference:
Newspaper article.
"Milton Miles Beckwith Eulogy", Robert Milton Beckwith, 1981.

Milton married Marjorie Ruth Mateer 24 Sep 1927, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Marjorie (daughter of Fred De Loss Mateer and Blanche Ridenour) was born 8 Jan 1904, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; died 12 May 1994, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried 30 Jul 1994, Elmhurst Memorial Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: From 1928 to 1929, Grenada Hotel, 525 Arlington Place, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1929 to 1931, North side of Chicago (Altgeld?)
• Census: 1930, 1516 Ardmore Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1932 to 1933, North Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Kindergarten
• Residence: From 1934 to 1935, North Kenneth Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; 1st/2nd grade
• Residence: From 1936 to 1937, Cramer Street, Shorewood, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; 2nd/3rd grade (building no longer standing, replaced by apartment complex)
• Residence: From 1937 to 1938, 2107 East Menlo Blvd., Shorewood, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; 3rd/4th grade
• Residence: From 1939 to 1942, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; 5th/7th grade
• Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1942 to 1952, 457 Roslyn Place, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; 8th thru first year of marriage
• Residence: From 1952 to 1953, 1201 West Wood Street, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1953 to 1958, 4687 West Main Street, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; House no longer standing, now part of Millikin University campus.
• Residence: From 1958 to 1963, 5 Northland Drive, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1963 to 1964, 721 S. Lodge Lane, Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1964 to 1993, 709 S. Lodge Lane, Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1993 to, 1680 Valley Woods Drive, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee

Notes:

Bob learned to play piano at an early age and kept it as a hobby most of his life, thus carrying on the family musical tradition. As a teenager, he joined the Boy Scouts of which his father was the leader. In high school he attended Lane Technical magnet school in Chicago, Illinois.

World War II ended before Bob was of draft age. He then attended two years at the University of Illinois Navy Pier campus in Chicago and completed his bachelor's degree in education at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois.

Bob met his bride Jeanette while on a family trip to the Tennessee mountains. In 1953, he took his wife and first son 200 miles south of Chicago to Decatur, Illinois to take on a 6th grade teaching position. To satisfy his musical interest and tradition, he led the school choir.

In able to support a growing family, Bob also took on part time work in a local grocery store. Even so, he was able to complete a Masters degree in education from the University of Illinois in Champaign.

In 1963, Bob joined the Illinois Education Association to represent teachers throughout the state of Illinois. He then moved his family to Lombard, Illinois, a suburb twenty miles West of Chicago.

Bob kept his piano skills tuned by accompanying his children in their musical recitals. He also became known for his whistling skills and he often could be heard belting out melodic tunes.

In 1968, Bob took on the position of Education Manager for the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. There he worked closely with state educators and legislators. When he retired, the Illinois State Senate and House both declared the day "Robert M. Beckwith day" by official proclamation.

Bob retired 1 January 1993 and is presently residing with Jeanette in Sevier County, Tennessee.

Robert married Jeanette Lee Clabo 25 Aug 1950, Original First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee. Jeanette (daughter of Eddie Lee Clabo and Charity Alice Reagan, daughter of Media Edards "Edd" Shields and Davie Eliza Shults) was born 12 Mar 1927, Eddie & Charity Clabo homestead, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

OCCUPATION: Plant manager, Sales.
Military Service: U.S. Navy 6 years, Served in Vietnam War.

Robert married Kim Sharon Terrace 3 May 1975, San Diego, San Diego, California; divorced 18 Apr 2006, Sevier County, Tennessee. Kim (daughter of Raymond Cervando "Ray" Terrace and Marie Ocasio) was born 27 Aug 1956, , New York. [Group Sheet]

Robert married Renata Lynn Williams 21 Oct 2006, Webbs Creek United Methodist Church, Sevier County, Tennessee; divorced 11 Oct 2011, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

OCCUPATION: Retail manager Osco, Radio Shack

John married Diane R. Gardner NOT MARRIED. Diane (daughter of Gardner) was born 27 Dec 1957. [Group Sheet]

John married Patricia Ann Castellano 20 Feb 1980, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Patricia (daughter of Ramon Cerna Castellano and Anaclita Sanchez) was born 18 Dec 1950, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; died 31 Oct 1992, Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois; was buried 4 Nov 1992, Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery, Cook County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

OCCUPATION: Factory Supervisor 1978-1980 Prince Castle
Software Engineer 1980-1981 Butler Engineering (contract AT&T)
Software Engineer 1981-1985 AT&T Bell Labs
Software Engineer 1985-1989 CIMCORP Inc.
Engineering Manager 1989-1995 CIMCORP Inc.
Co-owner 1995-2013 Fore! Reservations, Inc.

David married Lisa Beth Varney 9 Aug 1980, First United Methodist Church of Lombard, Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois. Lisa (daughter of Robert Arthur "Bob" Varney and MaryElisabeth Leslie "Beth" Gardner) was born 17 Nov 1956, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Crystal married Nathan Eugene Lawton 27 Jun 1998, Escondido, California. [Group Sheet]

Jennifer married Kevin McElroy 16 Mar 2013, Chicago, Cook County, Illiniois. [Group Sheet]

Yvette married Andrew R. "Andy" Schulz NOT MARRIED. Andrew (son of Richard K. "Rick" Schulz and Barbara A. "Barb") was born 13 Sep 1980. [Group Sheet]

Yvette married NOT MARRIED. Unknown [Group Sheet]

Yvette married Mitchell A. "Mitch" Heidkamp NOT MARRIED. Mitchell (son of Richard G. Heidkamp and Betty Jo Adamik) was born Abt 1980. [Group Sheet]

Yvette — Himebauch. [Group Sheet]