Résumé

Utility Engineer, Seattle City Light, Seattle, WA, c. 1923-1938; in 1931, Beck worked as a "pole locator" for the Seattle City Light municipally owned utility. In 1935, Beck worked vigorously for Seattle City Light in its quest to purchase Puget Sound Power and Light Company's the King County properties. (See ("City Light Engineer Gives His View on Merger Vote Question," Seattle Times, 11/15/1935, p. 42.) Chief Electrical Engineer, Bonneville Dam Project, c. 1938-05/1939. Beck was fired on 05/06/1939 by Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, for counselling local Public Utility Districts (PUDs) to stop condemnation proceedings of private power company assets within their territories, and to do their "utmost" to negotiate "amicable settlements" with these private utiities. (See "Bonneville Dam Engineer Is Fired," Seattle Times, 05/07/1939, p. 14.) General Manager, Public Utility District No. 1 of Grays Harbor County, Washington, 1940-c. 1942. Partner, Beck and [James I.] Metcalf and Associates, Consulting Engineers and Economists, Seattle, WA, c. 1940-1942; (See Seattle City Directory, 1941, p. 131.) Principal, R.W. Beck, Consulting Engineer, Seattle and Columbus, NB, 1942-1954; Partner, R.W. Beck and Associates, Seattle, 1954-2009. The firm was purchased by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a huge defense contractor, in 2009.

Professional Service

Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Friends of City Light, Seattle, WA, c. 1937.

Relocation

In 1934, Beck lived with his wife Fredericka in a residence at 5051 26th Avenue SW (See Seattle City Directory, 1934, p. 221)

Spouse

Robert W. Beck married Fredericka R. Williams on 06/14/1924 in Skamania County, WA. She legally separated from Beck in 03/1939 on grounds of desertion (See "Separate Maintenance Asked," Seattle Times, 03/22/1939;p. 25), and was divorced from him by 07/1939. (See "Divorces Granted," Seattle Times, 07/20/1939;p. 31.) By 1940, he had married Margery E. Beck.

Biographical Notes

SSN: 539-34-5067