Bruce Charles Beckington

Bruce Charles Beckington, WWII Veteran, departed this life on January 16, 2020 in Albuquerque, at the age of 98. He was born on January 28, 1921 in Washington, DC, the son of Boyd Sheppard Beckington and Nell Elizabeth Brown. He is survived by three children and one grandchild. Daughter Rebekah Fleury and her husband Chet of Mechanicsville, VA; daughter Debra Courtney of Oxnard, CA; son Boyd Mark Beckington of Camarillo, CA and grandson Chase Courtney, currently attending college in Phoenix, AZ.

Bruce attended the University of Michigan and received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1949. He served in both the Navy and Marines. He was appointed a Naval Aviator at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida in 1943. During WWII, Lt. Beckington served with the Marine Air Corps in the Pacific arena. He was promoted to Major and served in the Marine Corps Reserves for 20 years.

His career in Engineering began in the state of Michigan in 1950 with General Motors. He then worked for the Ford Motor Company for 10 years. In 1962 he moved his family to California where he put his engineering talents to work in the Aero Space industry. As the Space program was winding down, he returned to the state of Michigan and to the Ford Motor Company where he retired.

Bruce had a lifelong interest in photography and his hobbies included golf, camping, fishing and skeet shooting.

After retirement he moved to the state of New Mexico where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a member of the New Mexico Honor Guard and was lucky to have a dedicated veteran as his next door neighbor. Marty and his wife, Zenaida Cantu, were there to assist him no matter what the circumstances. Bruce’s family are grateful for their help and kindness.

Interment will be in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland