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
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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
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