More detail on this person: Reynolds Beckwith,
1924 - 2013 Captain Reynolds Beckwith, USN
(Ret.), age 88, died peacefully on June 5, 2013 at
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center surrounded
by his loved ones after a courageous battle with
cancer. Born at home in Coral Gables, Florida in
1924 to Mildred Beckwith Humphries and John
Humphries, Reynolds grew up in south Florida and
southern California. He graduated from University
High School in West Los Angeles and then
attended U-C Berkley's Engineering School.
Reynolds received an appointment to the U.S.
Naval Academy and graduated with the class of
1949. He earned his aviator wings in February of
1951. Reynolds attended the Naval Postgraduate
School in Monterey California where he earned a
Master's of Science Degree in Underwater
Acoustics.
Reynolds Beckwith was a veteran of two wars. He
served his country with distinction in aviation
billets in Korea, during the Cuban Crisis, in
three>aviation squadron commands in Vietnam, and
two tours at the Pentagon. During the Korean War
Reynolds flew anti-submarine warfare patrols in
the Japan and Yellow Seas, and night missions
over North Korea. At Binh Thuy in South Vietnam,
he commanded an attack helicopter squadron flying
night helo missions over the Bassac River in the
Mekong Delta. Reynolds was recognized
throughout his career in the U.S. Navy as an
operational and technical sonar expert in
anti-submarine warfare, and was distinguished for
his tactical and managerial talents.
Following retirement from the Navy in 1975,
Reynolds provided consulting services for various
clients. He headed the Washington Office for
Allied>Signal Ocean Systems Division advanced
systems engineering. In 1989, he co-founded a
software company, Objective Interface Systems,
with his son, Bill Beckwith. Reynolds served as
the President and CFO until 2000 and was a
member of the Board of Directors until 2011. From
2002 until his death on June 5, Reynolds continued
to serve as CO, McCampbell's Aces Squadron; the
Association of Naval Aviators of Palm Beach
County; the Alumni Association of the Naval
Academy; a Director of the Navy League, Palm
Beach Council; and the treasurer of the Men's Golf
Association of the North Palm Beach Country Club.
Reynolds met his wife Bette while dancing at the
Mission Ranch in Carmel, and they were married for
over 50 years.
He was a committed family leader, terrific father,
natural teacher, and>doting grandfather. He was
deeply loved by all his family and is missed by
those he leaves behind, including his two
children, Karen Beckwith and her spouse, Scott
Barrow of Lenox, MA and Bill Beckwith and his
spouse, Alison Beckwith of Reston, VA; and his
four grateful granddaughters, Ardis Barrow, 26 and
Rebecca Barrow, 23, Lauren Beckwith, 23 and
Kristin Beckwith, 20. He also leaves behind a dear
friend and travel companion, Joan Firman of North
Palm Beach, and a great many friends in several
organizations with which he participated until his
death.
He loved no place on earth as much as he loved
south Florida. He enjoyed golf, ballroom dancing,
financial management, fine food and wine, fishing,
traveling, target shooting and, most of all,
spending holidays with his children & grand
children. May the sky be clear for take off, and
the seas smooth for sailing on his journey
forward. A Celebration of Life Service will be
held in Vienna Virginia on Sunday, June 23 2013 at
2 p.m. at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple
Avenue West; phone: 703-938-7440. In lieu of
flowers, the family suggests a donation in his
name payable to the Navy League - PBC.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association