Allan Beek
Allan Beek was always ready to recite a poem, explain a complex mathematical concept, reminisce about a much-loved passage of classical music, or deliver an opinion on international affairs. He was generous with his intellect and his time, serving on the Newport Beach Planning Commission as well as many civic organizations. He was secretary of SPON (Stop Polluting Our Newport) for many decades, was treasurer of Friends of Newport Coast, and co-founder of Greenlight. He authored many public affairs columns in the local newspaper, The Daily Pilot. He also served several years on the board of KPFK public radio and helped to promote universal health care legislation for California. Allan’s contributions to these organizations helped increase open space, curb traffic excesses and limit airport noise. His talent and dedication improved the quality of life for everyone in Newport Beach.
Allan was passionate about the outdoors and enjoyed climbing local peaks Saddleback, Baldy, San Jacinto, and San Gorgonio, as well as Mount Rainier and Mount Whitney. He was accompanied on some of these excursions by his beloved daughters Elizabeth and Katharine, and by stepson Paul Cohen.
Allan was born on January 23, 1927, to Joseph Allan Beek and Carol Brewster Guillou Beek of Newport Beach. He spent his childhood on Balboa Island and lived most of his life in Newport Beach. He attended Newport Elementary School and Newport Harbor High, graduating in 1943 at age 16. During summers he participated – with older brother Barton and younger brother Seymour – in the Balboa Island Yacht Club, becoming Commodore in 1942. He entered California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1943 but left to join the California Maritime Academy (CMA) in 1944. During his three years as a cadet, he was most proud of being selected to steer a 400-foot ship through the Panama Canal.
In 1947 Allan resumed his studies at Caltech and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. He then spent a year at UCLA studying mathematics just as computer science was becoming an important career path. He did so well on an aptitude test that Northrup Aircraft offered him a job and continued designing computer guidance systems for Lockheed, North American Rockwell and Boeing until his retirement in 1990.
Allan married his first wife, Jean Agnes Beh, in Apr, 1955 and they had two daughters, Elizabeth and Katharine, before divorcing in 1977. He married his second wife, Jean Frances Eberling Cohen, in Jan, 1989. Family activities during these years included music, boating, swimming, hiking and building sandcastles.
Allan died early Thursday morning, January 11, 2024, at Riverside Community Hospital after sustaining a fractured vertebra. Friends Diane Birnie Bock and Jennifer Winn took turns keeping him company until his passing. In accordance with his long-standing plan, his brain and body were immediately donated to the University of California, Irvine Mind 90+ Study, thus contributing to medical research on issues associated with longevity. https://mind.uci.edu/research-studies/90plus-study/
He is survived by his brother, H. Seymour Beek of Newport Beach, CA; his elder daughter, Elizabeth Beek Blackford of Palm Bay, FL; his younger daughter, Katharine Beek of Clovis, CA; and his second wife.
A memorial celebration is scheduled for Friday, Sep 6, 2024 from 4:30 – 9:00 pm at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Allan by supporting the Conservancy at NewportBay.org/Donate.