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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 the 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.
Source: Newspaer clipping. 'Milton Miles Beckwith Eulogy', Robert Milton Beckwith, 1981.