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FRANCIS HENRY BECKETT, JR.
March 14, 1931~April 28, 2011
Francis "Frank" Henry Beckett Jr., aged 80, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2011, at his home in Brush Prairie, WA. He died of natural causes. He was born March 14, 1931, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Irene and Francis Henry Beckett.
Frank attended Moses Brown Preparatory School and later, Brown University. He interrupted his schooling to serve in the Navy during the Korean War. After completing his service, he attended UCLA in Los Angeles, California, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree.
Frank settled in Los Angeles and took employment in the aerospace industry. His career saw its longest success with the Hughes Aircraft Company, a firm he joined in the 1960s as a beginning engineer and retired from in 1991 as a top executive in the Missile Systems Group. He was particularly proud of his work in the development of the "Maverick" missile, and later, of the "Amraam" - a missile that has been deployed in Iraq in defense of U.S. combat forces.
A frequent visitor to the Pacific Northwest during his work vacations, Frank chose to relocate to Washington upon his retirement. He enjoyed the state's beauty and rustic serenity, and had a keen water-lover's interest in the Columbia River. Until his death, he had lived over a dozen contented years at his Brush Prairie home, "Windenfir", with his wife, Patricia.
Frank will be remembered as a man of wisdom and wide learning, with a practical turn-of-mind, modest and without pretense, who had a deep love of his family, his country, and his home.
He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Patricia; his daughter; and three sons; and his sister, Betty.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 9, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 8701 NE 119th Street, Vancouver, Washington.
Please sign the Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Thank you for letting us live in this amazing house. I can feel the love. I will do my best keeping up with all the yard work:)
Jeff Cameron
August 2, 2022
Dear Patti and Ali, We were so sorry to hear about Frank. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Liz and Dennis Lane
Liz and Denny Lane
May 8, 2011
Dear Patti,
Just want you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers as you travel through this difficult time.
Love, Lynda and Bob Ciri
May 6, 2011
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