Dr. William “Bill” Beck: Feb. 5, 1942 – Feb. 22, 2016

Dr. William Beck, a leader in the political advancement of the LGBT community in San Diego and a local business owner died on Monday, February 22 at his home in Hillcrest with his husband and partner of almost 40 years David Huskey at his side.

Over the last 30 years Bill raised more than $10 million for numerous political campaigns and donated thousands of dollars personally to causes supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS, expanding civil rights and supporting LGBT business groups.

His vision and determination were instrumental in the 1993 election of Christine Kehoe to the San Diego City Council, the first openly LGBT candidate to win public office in San Diego county.

Bill continued his support of Kehoe during her campaigns for the California State Assembly in 2000 and later the State Senate in 2004. He served as finance Chair for Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins when she ran for City Council in 2000 and was instrumental in her election to the Assembly.

He was finance chair for the campaign to elect Bonnie Dumanis to the office of San Diego District Attorney. With her victory she became the first open lesbian in the US to win a district attorney’s office.

California Speaker Toni Atkins announced Bill’s death in a statement on Tuesday, February 23. His husband, David Huskey, confirmed the death was from complications due to Parkinson’s disease.

Bill served on the National Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Board during its formative years and was a key figure in encouraging LGBT candidates to run for office and in raising money through a national network.

He was a founder of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation and served on the United San Diego Elections Committee board and the Gay Families of America Project sponsored by GLAAD in 1996.

He was a member of the California Legislature Senate Select Committee on Small Business Enterprises as well as a member of the San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy’s Advisory Board.

In June 2010, the California Legislature recognized him as one of a select group of LGBT "Super Heroes" during LGBT Pride month.

Former CEO of the National Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Chuck Wolfe, commented upon Bill’s death:

“Bill Beck was a giant in LGBT politics. With charm, wit, and intellect (and maybe some arm twisting) Bill guided his community — and the nation — to a more equal future. Leaders in our community knew that getting Bill and David’s support was the cornerstone to winning in San Diego.

I, along with all who worked with him through the Victory Fund, know that our efforts would have been long delayed without Bill’s tenacious leadership.”

Bill received many well-deserved awards over the years, including the San Diego Democratic Club’s President’s Award and the San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Jess Jessop “Founder’s Award.”

He received multiple Nicky Awards, including the Governor’s Award in 1998 and Outstanding Male Citizen of the Year in 1999. In 2005, he was declared Champion of Pride by San Diego LGBT Pride.

HIV/AIDs causes were also close to Bill’s heart and he served on the board of the AIDS Assistance Fund; and as co-chair of DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fights AIDS).

He was a founder and twice served as chair of the famed AIDS fundraiser Alley Cat Ball, and founded the Alley Cat "Fantasy" awards, which granted wishes for people with AIDS. He was also a longstanding member of the San Diego AIDS Foundation.

In addition Bill served on the board of the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) and received the "20th Year Salute" award from GSDBA in 1999. He was a board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Bill was a founder of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, a community fund to sustain organizations providing services to LGBT San Diegans.

Bill and his husband David owned a union printing business, Will Copy & Print for many years. A savvy businessman, Bill will be remembered for his generous and enduring commitment to justice and equality for all and the joy he received from his ‘behind the scene’ vantage point where he helped so many succeed.

Survivors include his husband David Huskey, brother and sister-in-law Robert and Marilyn Beck, sister-in-law Bo Beck, niece Terry Beck and nephews Mark Beck and Bobby Beck.

Bill and David were both raised in Ohio. Before moving to San Diego in 1981, Bill was an assistant professor at the University of Arizona and at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1975.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bill Beck Memorial Fund at the Center, online at events.thecentersd.org/BillBeck. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

- SDGLN.com

SAN DIEGO — (Feb 23, 2016) Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins today announced the passing of Dr. Bill Beck, a San Diego community leader who fought passionately for equality and civil rights, raised millions of dollars for AIDS and other worthy causes, and opened the door for many San Diego LGBT elected officials.

“San Diego has lost a true pioneer in LGBT rights in San Diego, as well as a force of nature in politics, in business, and philanthropy,” said Speaker Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego). “More than 20 years ago, Bill Beck had a vision for the LGBT community in San Diego to have a voice in the halls of power. Thanks to Bill, LGBT San Diegans have been speaking out for our community in the Assembly and state Senate, the Board of Supervisors, the City Council, the school board, the District Attorney’s office, and the court. Bill’s loss leaves a huge void—but an amazing legacy.”

Over the course of several decades, Dr. Beck raised more than $10 million for AIDS charities, local business associations, philanthropic foundations, and LGBT candidates. He has served on numerous boards, including the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the Gay Families of American Project, the AIDS Assistance Fund, and the Greater San Diego Business Association. He was a co-chair of Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) and a founder and board president of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation.

“Bill Beck dedicated his intellect and energy to advancing equal rights for LGBT San Diegans through political action,” added former Senator Christine Kehoe. “By working to elect a generation of openly LGBT office holders in local, state, and federal offices, Bill was part of a wave of progressive change in San Diego and across the country. I am forever grateful for the tireless support he gave to each of my campaigns and to those of so many others.”

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said, “Bill Beck’s legacy of leadership is profound. His philanthropic work helped raise millions in San Diego’s fight against HIV/AIDS and other charitable causes. He will also be remembered as a key figure who made it possible for LGBT candidates to make history and secure a seat at the table. While Bill preferred to work behind the scenes, his contributions to our community have always been front and center.”

San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts added, “Bill Beck was a transcendent presence in San Diego’s LGBT, civic, and business community. An early, strong, and steady voice for the gay community, he cared deeply about San Diego and was a trusted friend and counselor for decades. This is a sad day for all of us.”

Dr. Beck received many awards and accolades, including being honored by the state Legislature in 2010 during LGBT month and winning the San Diego Democratic Club’s President’s Award, the LGBT Center’s Jess Jessop “Founder’s Award,” and Nicky Awards in 1998 and 1999. He is survived by his husband, David Huskey.

Beck with husband, David Huskey.
_____________________________
Having served as finance chair/fundraiser and community activist for almost 30 years, Bill Beck raised over $10,000,000 and contributed thousands of hours for causes ranging from AIDS, the business association and philanthropic foundations to political causes and candidates. His tireless efforts helped significantly in the election of Christine Kehoe to the San Diego City Council in 1993, to the California State Assembly in 2000 and the State Senate in 2004. He served as former Councilmember Toni Atkins’ Finance Chair and held the same position for Judge Bonnie Dumanis’ race for San Diego District Attorney.

Bill served on the national Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Board, as well as the USDEC board in addition to the Gay Families of America Project sponsored by GLAAD in 1996. He was a member of the California Legislature Senate Select Committee on Small Business Enterprises as well as a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Board. In June 2010, the California Legislature recognized him as one of a select group of LGBT "Super Heroes" during LGBT month.

Bill received the San Diego Democratic Club’s President’s Award and the LGBT Center’s Jess Jessop "Founder’s Award". Nicky Awards include the Governor’s Award in 1998 and "Outstanding Male Citizen of the Year" in 1999. In 2005, he was "Champion of Pride" in the LGBT Pride Parade. In 2010, he was recognized by the California Legislature as one of a select group of LGBT “Super Heroes.” Bill was recognized for his numerous contributions to the LGBT community in 2011 by Lambda Archives as one of the "Heroes, Pioneers, and Trailblazers" of San Diego. And in 2014 Bill was inducted to the Wall of Honor at the San Diego LGBT Center.

For more than 30 years Bill served on the board of the AIDS Assistance Fund and served as co-chair of DIFFA. He was a founder and twice chair of the famed AIDS fundraiser Alley Cat Ball as well as founder of the Alley Cat "Fantasy" awards which provided wishes for people with AIDS. He was a board member of the AIDS Foundation.

He served on the Greater San Diego Business Association’s (GSDBA) Board and received the "20th Year Salute" award from GSDBA in 1999. Bill was a founder and former board president of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation. Bill owned a Union printing business, Will Copy & Print, with his life partner of 35 years, David Huskey. Before moving to San Diego in 1981, Bill was an assistant professor at the University of Arizona and previously at SMU in Dallas. He received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1975.

He died on Feb 23, 2016. Bill is survived by his husband, David Huskey.
_________________________________