Arthur Frederick Beck

Birth date: Dec 26, 1928 Death date: Jul 23, 2020

Arthur Frederick “Fritz” Beck, a resident of Richardson, Texas, for over 60 years, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 at his assisted living home in Plano. He was 91 years old. His health had steadily declined s Read Obituary

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Ayub Sandhu

270w ago

I had the privilege of working with Fritz Beck, PE, RPLS (at R L Goodson, Jr. Engineers, where he served as Vice President of Transportation) as I was finishing up my civil engineering degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. I was pleased to have Fritz as my mentor.

Inspired by a close working relationship, we ventured into a Business Partnership in 1984, which established BSM Consulting Engineers & ARS Engineers, with Fritz’s full-time focus & dedication to BSM in the last 20 plus years. These two companies have continued to be successful to this day.

Fritz dedicated so much to his career. His vision, dedication and hard work, along with his emphasis on analysis and resolving construction issues, were foundational to his company’s success. Additionally, his technical discussions and collaboration with the other staff members was always impressive.

What has stood above and beyond the technical expertise and attention to detail has been Fritz’s consistent and sincere demonstration of respect for others. He always found time for those that he considered significant and important. He showed this to me personally in two very important ways:

1) In 1981, when I was hospitalized for surgery, he came and visited with my family, which my mother truly appreciated; 2) When our only son Marc was born, Fritz was the first person outside the family who came to see and hold him in the hospital. We all remember these events with gratitude for the kind person Fritz was.

Fritz was always willing to reach out to others, especially the younger engineers, in mentoring and teaching roles. He was well respected by his peers. In addition to being president of his own company, BSM, he served as president of ASCE & TSPE in Texas. I am personally indebted to him for his encouragement and support, to actively participate and serve in the engineering community.

I know we will all miss him, but I will greatly him!!

-Ayub Sandhu

William Gosney

271w ago

To the Family of Fritz Beck, I offer the deepest of condolences in his recent passing.

I want to tall a brief story about one of my interactions with him at SMU.

In 1986, i joined the faculty of SMU as the Cecil and Ida Green Professor Electrical Engineering, and I met Fritz soon afterward as we often walked together to and from the parking lot. Fritz was friendly, outgoing, and curious, especially about what kind of work and research I was doing. When I talked about using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to see the tiny details in electronic integrated circuits, the wheels began to turn in his mind.

He asked me if I thought the SEM could show how two layers of concrete bonded together where a second layer was poured over the first. He said he envisioned a multitude of tiny interlocking fingers.

I said, "Well, I don't know what it will show; but if you bring me a sample, we can take a look and find out."

About a week later, he brought me a sample about the size of a chicken egg where the two layers were plainly visible. I took the sample and used a diamond circular saw to carve out a sample about 1 cm x 1 cm x 2 mm so it could be mounted in the SEM.

Finally, I inserted it in the SAM sample chamber, and took a series of photographs using Polaroid 4x5 sheet film.

Fritz was amazed at the results. The bonding was nothing as he had envisioned. Instead of interlocking fingers, the slight shrinkage that occurs when concrete sets left a fissure at the boundary; with the layers only bonded at a few sand grains at the surface of the second layer that were in contact with the first.

We laughed about how our perceptions can sometimes be so wrong!

Over the years, Fritz and I had many conversations about engineering and humanity, again, as we walked to and from the parking lot, and I feel privileged to have known him.

He will be missed!

William Milton Gosney
Professor Emeritus

Shirley Stark

271w ago

More than a mentor, Fritz Beck, a godly individual, and companion to anyone who worked with him. He exemplified what a civil engineer should be. After thirty years of many engineering projects together my growing up matured me in situations at the company. This was proven over many times that the product has to be the result of the source. He set the standard for the company. The real product he produced is love through concern for the ideal he has in mind as he made his decisions in a way which seemed like someone else made the decision. His supervising with another friend, Andy Martin made me confident working for them is the steady and secure place to earn a living, provide a successful home and continue with my life’s needs. Looking back to the needs of life met, I realize how important individuals like Fritz are to make America great. Professional, kind, compassionate, and consistent, he has been the strength in providing for the company to endure two recessions and keep things on an even keel. Fritz‘s life is an vital example; his kindnesses showed his submission as he allowed others to seek and experience their own potential.
I shall be forever grateful to Fritz and will miss him.
Byron Stark

Perry Hescock

271w ago

Fritz, in his role as a church usher, would often spot me before I spotted him in the church sanctuary. He was quick with a handshake and a cheerful word. Fellow professional engineers who had worked on joint projects occasionally, we started our engineering firms the same year, 1984. My firm was MEP; his, of course, was civil. My wife Enid and I will miss his smile and his wonderful example of Christian service.
Perry Hescock,PE

Anonymous

271w ago

Sent a Serenity Wreath to the Beck family.

A beautiful white floral wreath stands on a tripod, symbolizing remembrance and honor.

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Joseph Elwin Whetsel

271w ago

The Beck family welcomed us into their neighborhood in April 1974. Through the decades Fritz, his wife Betty, and their children created fond memories that we will always carry with us. Our condolences to his children and extended family. Fritz has left us with an enduring memory. May he rest in peace knowing he left us with a life well lived.
Susan an Elwin Whetsel

Anonymous

271w ago

Sent a Beautiful in Blue to the Beck family.

Vibrant flowers including white lilies and daisies fill a blue vase, brightening the space.

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The Pitcher, Santiago And Erich Families

271w ago

Sent a Beautiful Dreams to the Beck family.

A lovely floral display features white lilies, pale roses, and delicate blue blooms.

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Jim Carvell

271w ago

I met Fritz in 1968 when he was working at THD. He was one of the kindest, most helpful persons I have ever known. I’m sorry I did not know he was a Seabea. My dad was one in WW2. Thank God for the life of Fritz Beck. Jim Carvell

Destiny Belknap Varghese

271w ago

My father, Rick Belknap, worked with Mr. Beck and always held him in such high regard. When I was in middle school, I think, my math teacher gave us an assignment to interview someone who used math in their career. My dad told me “I know the perfect person” and took me to his office building to interview Mr. Beck. I can’t say I recall much about our math conversation, but I remember he was kind and patient, gracious and generous with his time. I am very sorry for your loss. What an incredible life he led.

William Gosney

271w ago

To the Family of Fritz Beck, I offer the deepest of condolences in his recent passing.

I want to tall a brief story about one of my interactions with him at SMU.

He asked me if I thought the SEM could show how two layers of concrete bonded together where a second layer was poured over the first. He said he envisioned a multitude of tiny interlocking fingers.

I said, "Well, I don't know what it will show; but if you bring me a sample, we can take a look and find out."

Finally, I inserted it in the SAM sample chamber, and took a series of photographs using Polaroid 4x5 sheet film.

We laughed about how our perceptions can sometimes be so wrong!

Over the years, Fritz and I had many conversations about engineering and humanity, again, as we walked to and from the parking lot, and I feel privileged to have known him.

He will be missed!

William Milton Gosney
Professor Emeritus

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