Richard “Rusty” Carl Beck, PGM 2022-2023

Richard Carl Beck was born as the eldest of three children to Curtis Elmer and Mattie Pearl (Logue) Beck on July 5, 1945, in Bradenton, Florida. Brother Rusty’s education and studies include graduating from Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida in 1963, then attending Wake Forest University on football and ROTC scholarships and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in January 1968 in classical studies “Latin”. He then went on active duty in the military as a “Distinguished Military Graduate” in the rank of 2d Lieutenant and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in October 1988. While in the military, Rusty attended Troy State University obtaining a Master of Science Degree in “Foundations of Education”. He attended rotary wing flight school at Fort Wolters, TX and Fort Rucker, AL which later culminated in him receiving the “Master Army Aviator Badge”. He flew aerial scouts in Vietnam, and returned to Fort Rucker as a Platform Instructor at the Aviation Warrant Officer Career Courses and later as a Instructor Pilot in the UH-1H Helicopter Training Programs and the OH-58 Aeroscout Helicopter Training Programs. Additionally, he attended the Armor Officer Basic and Armor Officer Advance Courses at Fort Knox, KY; the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS; and Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA. Although Rusty was a helicopter pilot in the military, he maintains and enjoys flying a small single-engine airplane.

While stationed at Fort Rucker, AL following his return from Vietnam, Rusty met, and later married his wife, Carolyn Ann Harrell on 2 SEP 72. They have four children, four grand children and two great grand children.

After retirement, he went back to school earning associate degrees in aquaculture and small engine repair from Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL. Also, he and his wife owned and operated a skilled nursing facility in Anniston, AL until December 2016 where he spent the majority of his years as the “Director of Nursing”. He was licensed as a “registered nurse” and a “Certified Nursing Home Administrator” for the State of Alabama.

Brother Beck was initiated in Pythagoras Lodge #659 in Dothan, AL on 14 AUG 73, passed to Fellowcraft on 11 SEP 73, and raised to Master Mason on 4 OCT 73. He served in various positions between military assignments. After military retirement, he became a plural member with Duke Lodge #574 on 12 JUN 01. On 6 MAR 06, Pythagoras Lodge merged with Dothan Lodge #466. Later he transferred from Dothan Lodge #466 to Hiram Lodge #42 in Jacksonville, AL on 19 JUL 21. At Duke Lodge #574, Brother Beck held numerous positions and served as Worshipful Master from JUN 04- JUN 06.

For the Grand Lodge, after earning his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency, Brother Beck was designated a District Lecturer for District #10, Group #1 for thirteen (13) years, and then five years on the Committee-on-Work including one year as its Chairman. He was elected as Junior Grand Warden on 13 NOV 19, Senior Grand Warden on 10 NOV 20, Deputy Grand Master on 10 NOV 21, and Grand Master on 16 NOV 22.

During his Masonic career, Brother Beck became a member of, and received recognition in, numerous organizations including York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Knight Masons, National Sojourners, Royal Order of Scotland, Knights of York Cross of Honor, Red Cross of Constantine, York Rite College, and Grottoes International.