Thomas L. Beckwith (Tom), 66, of Wadsworth, IL, passed away on February 14, 2019 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He was born on July 19, 1952 in Elmhurst, Illinois. Family, teaching, and music were his three greatest joys in life.
“Mr. B” was the Director of Bands at Warren Township High School (WTHS) for 30 years, where he built one of the largest and most respected band programs in Illinois. Though the Warren bands were chosen for highly selective performances such as the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic, the National Concert Band Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival, Tom’s primary goal was to share the joy of music with his students. He did this by igniting their passion for all things musical and by challenging them to be better musicians – all with enthusiasm and a crazy sense of humor. After retiring from WTHS, Tom worked part time at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, where he continued to bring his positive and goofy spirit into the classroom. While Tom took great pride in the fact that so many of his students became musicians and music teachers, he was just as proud of those learned to love music for life, no matter their occupation. His teaching lives on through them all and through the memories of his students who still recite his infectious “Beckwith-isms” to their own students or families.
Tom was also an angler extraordinaire who loved sharing his passion for fishing with his family and friends. He towed his Crestliner boat all over the Midwest to fish various lakes, especially in Wisconsin. He enjoyed time spent with fishing buddies and loved being outside - no matter the weather. He preferred to fish for the elusive Musky rather than any other fish more plentiful and easier to catch. Coming up empty-handed did not diminish his enjoyment one bit, and he would declare, “That’s why they call it fishin’ and not catchin’!” The comradery, with its laughs and stories, was just as important to him as the fishing.
Nothing was more special to Tom than his family. He loved sitting next to his wife Jo to watch their sons perform or conduct on stage. He was incredibly proud that both of his sons continued in music, Andrew following in his footsteps as a high school band director, and Daniel becoming a drummer in Tom’s favorite genre of music - jazz. Over the years, he gave Jo the gift of jazz music, and he loved watching her become an avid fan. Tom and Jo travelled across the country, most recently to Hawaii to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, where their most memorable activity was a helicopter tour of the islands. Creating things and providing for his family gave Tom the utmost satisfaction. He was the general contractor for two homes built in Wadsworth, including the current home where the Beckwith family has lived in for more than 25 years.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen Beckwith, and his brother, Rick Beckwith. He is survived by his loving wife, Jo, and his two sons, Andrew and Daniel, his sister, Sherrill (Keith) Snyder, niece Laura Snyder, and nephew Matt (Simona) Snyder and great niece Mikayla.
Memorial Visitation will be on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a brief Celebration of Life Service at 2:30 p.m. at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 North Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL 60031. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beckwith Memorial Music Award which provides an annual college scholarship for a WTHS band student. Contributions can be sent to the Beckwith Memorial Music Award; c/o Jo Beckwith, P.O. Box 487; Wadsworth, IL 60083.
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