Obituary of Alfred H Beck

Alfred Herman Beck 95 years old July 2, 1914-December 16, 2009 Of Liberty Alfred Beck, a lifelong resident of Liberty, N.Y., died on December 16 at the age of 95. He was born on July 2, 1914 at Dwyer Avenue in Liberty, N.Y. His parents, Harry and Martha (Fanny) Beck, came to upstate N.Y in 1913. Mr. Beck was a graduate of Liberty Central High School in 1931. He become an Eagle Scout in 1930, and was the second person in Sullivan County to attain such rank. He graduated Harvard College in 1935 and New York Law School in 1939. He married Barbara Melnick in 1954 and remained married until her death on January 14, 2002. He is survived by his family to whom he was intensely committed: His sons Harry (Michele) of San Ramon, CA; Jonathan (Lisa) of Dublin, OH; and three grandchildren, Adam, Alexander and Brandon. Mr. Beck served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. He was an Embarkation Officer at Camp Patrick Henry and also become a Transportation Commander. In 1945 he was asked to serve in the JAG Office in Washington, D.C. He left the army with the rank of Captain. He began practicing law in 1939 with his father in Liberty, N.Y. After his father's death in 1952, Mr. Beck continued as a solo practitioner until phasing out his law practice in the early 1990's. He treated all clients, ranging from the poor to the famous, with the same dignity and respect. He was a director of the National Bank of Liberty, later known as Marine Midland Bank (Liberty), for approximately 15 years. He also served as the bank's attorney for many years. Active in local Democratic politics, he became Justice of the Peace of the Town of Liberty from 1952 through 1954, and attorney for the Town of Liberty from 1950 through 1987. He was also a long time board member of the Liberty Maimonides Hospital and the combined Community General Hospital, becoming President of the Liberty Maimonides Hospital, and the first President of the Combined Community General Hospital from 1967 through 1969. He was also an avid golfer and a long time member of the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club, the Liberty Elks Club and Temple Ahavath Israel in Liberty Funeral services for Alfred will be held Sunday Morning, December 20, 2009 at 11:00am at the Ahavath Israel Synagogue, 39 Chestnut Street, in Liberty. Burial will follow in the Ahavath Israel Synagogue Cemetery, Hysanna Road, Liberty. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Ahavath Israel Synagogue, 39 Chestnut Street, Liberty, NY 12754. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello.