Message on Lawrence Stanley Beckhouse
W&M Provost Michael R. Halleran sent the following message to the campus community Feb. 21, 2017 - Ed.
Dear Colleagues,
I write to share the news that Lawrence Stanley Beckhouse, Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, passed away on February 14 in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Born in Woodbury, NJ, he was the son of the late Margaret Kircher and Stanley George Beckhouse. He received his Bachelor of Arts in sociology at Knox College in 1965, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1967 and 1969, respectively. Professor Beckhouse joined the W&M faculty in 1968 as Assistant Professor of Sociology. Responding to the needs of the College and the department, he became the youngest chair in the history of the department in 1972 and served until 1978. Professor Beckhouse retired in 2005 after teaching at the College for 37 years.
Over the course of his career, Professor Beckhouse was among the most highly regarded teachers in the Department of Sociology. His students appreciated his close knowledge of the research and theoretical literatures of his areas of expertise, and benefited from his attention to detail and the high standards to which he held their work. He was a major contributor to the department’s graduate program, serving on or chairing dozens of master’s thesis committees. He was a leader in his department and a dedicated citizen of the William & Mary community. He served as chair of the Faculty Athletics Committee and as Faculty Representative to the NCAA.
He was active in the community, starting and coaching a select/travel soccer team as part of the Williamsburg Soccer Club. He enjoyed traveling to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Gulf Coast of Florida and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was the husband of the late Elizabeth Rockwood Beckhouse. He is survived by two sons, David Lawrence Beckhouse and wife, Rachel Dunn of Denver, CO, and Christopher Stanley Beckhouse and wife, Dana of Appomattox, VA; one sister, Linda B. Otterness and husband, Jack of Monterey, CA; three grandchildren, Lillian, Ava and Chase; as well as several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations to the Hospice House of Williamsburg. Condolences may be made at Robinson Funeral Home.
Sincerely,
Michael
