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Orrin Davis Beckwith
Nov. 13, 1928 – Mar. 13, 2025
Posted
Orrin Davis Beckwith passed away peacefully at the age of 96 in Surprise, Arizona. Born on November 13, 1928, in New Haven, Connecticut, he was the son of Clyde Beckwith and Evelyn Beckwith. After his mother’s passing when he was young, he was raised by his stepmother, Ruth Beckwith. Orrin spent his childhood in Manchester, Connecticut, where he developed a special love for the outdoors, hiking extensively throughout New England. That passion for nature would shape much of his life. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed near Cheyenne, Wyoming. After his service, he began his career as a park ranger in the Humboldt Redwoods and Millerton Lake in Fresno, CA before moving on to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He eventually supervised all the recreation areas near dams across the northwestern United States. Orrin was a devoted husband to Marjorie Beckwith, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. Together, they built a life filled with adventure, travel, and music. They explored places like Hawaii and Mexico, always drawn to the beauty of the natural world. Music was another constant in his life—he and Marjorie often performed together—he played harmonica, which brought joy to many. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marjorie Beckwith; his children Chuck Beckwith, Mark Beckwith, Catherine Rasmussen, Marilee Flannery, and Elizabeth Beckwith; his sister Roxane Wilson; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Brian Beckwith, his ex-wife Marilyn Beckwith, and his siblings Clyde Beckwith Jr., Priscilla Cushman, Ruthie Beckwith, and Maryanne Stone. Throughout his life, Orrin lived in various places, including Humboldt County, Fresno, San Rafael, and Petaluma, California; Washington D.C., Lake Oswego, Oregon; and most recently, Surprise, Arizona. No matter where he was, his warmth, humor, laugh, and love for nature and music made a lasting impact on those around him. He will be buried at the National Cemetery in Phoenix. Orrin’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who loved him, the music he played, and the trails he walked. He will be deeply missed.
