John Beckett

February 26, 1918 - June 17, 2010

John R. (Jack) Beckett

Born on February 26, 1918, in San Francisco, Ca.  and died on June 17, 2010 at his home in Atherton, Ca.

Survived by his loving wife Marjorie, daughters Brenda Beckett (Joe Cussen ) and Belinda Beckett (Norman Hile), stepsons Ted Abenheim and Donald Abenheim (Karin Abenheim) and granddaughters Diana Beckett-Hile and Sarah Beckett-Hile.  Preceded in death by first wife Dian Calkin Beckett.  He grew up in Marin County and earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in economics from Stanford University.  He served as President and Chairman of the Board of Transamerica Corporation from 1960 until his retirement in 1983.  In addition to leading Transamerica’s transition from a holding company to a major diversified operating company, he championed the building of the Transamerica Pyramid, choosing the design, steering it through the permitting process and overseeing every aspect of its construction.    He had great integrity and was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather.  No services are planned.  Gifts in his memory can be made to Dr. Michael Fowler’s Heart Failure Research Fund at Stanford University, Salk Building Room 295, 300 Pasteur Dr., Stanford, CA 94305.