I just heard from a friend that Dale Beeks died yesterday after suffering recent health problems. Most collectors of antique survey instruments knew Dale. He bought and sold some of the rarest instruments around. He had an impressive collection that he sold to Russ Uzes. See:
https://www.compleatsurveyor.com/BeeksCollection/BeeksCollection.html
Dale worked some of his younger years in the Northwest US on a crew retracing GLO lines. He did not pursue surveying beyond that but became one of the foremost experts in early instruments.
He collected and dealt in medical and many other kinds of antiques and oddities as well. A visit to his house was an experience to remember.
Dale was also an accomplished multi-instrumental musician who performed with local groups over the years, and had other hobbies as well.
I didn't see him often, but I thoroughly enjoyed any contact with him and there is a hole in my world without him.
I met Dale at some surveying conference in years / decades past, maybe one of the multi-state get-togethers.
In June 2019 I visited our family farm south of Mechanicsville and while driving to Cedar Rapids went through Mount Vernon and thought of Dale. Was on my way to an meeting in CR so did not try to contact him. Now I wish I would have.
Seems like everyone held Dale in high regard.
Yikes!!! That's awful news.
Dale was a wonderful guy. Dale helped me a great deal when I restarted The Compleat Surveyor business, and shared his knowledge and insights with me all the time. I can't believe he's gone. He was a great mentor and true friend.
Russ
An obituary can be found by searching:
site:eastcentraliowanews.com Dale Beeks
It won't let me link the article.
