Upper Midwest Jesuits | Chicago-Detroit Province

John J. Beckman, SJ

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February 25, 1921 to March 11, 2011
Cincinnati, Ohio

Fr. John J. Beckman, S.J.,

longtime pastor and administrator, died on March 11, 2011, in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Fr. Beckman, known to friends and family as “Jack,” was born to Vincent and Irene (Hummel) Beckman on February 25, 1921.  He is survived by his brother, Fr. Robert E. Beckman, also a Jesuit, and numerous nieces and nephews.

“Jack had an outgoing personality; he was very lighthearted and encouraging,” says Fr. Walter Deye, SJ, Socius for the Chicago-Detroit Province who since childhood has known the Beckman family. “He met people well.  He was always open to and looking forward to meeting the next stranger.”

Fr. Beckman graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1939 and Xavier University in 1943, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and philosophy. That same year, he joined the Jesuits. During his formation he earned a Ph.L. in philosophy and an S.T.L. in theology from the former West Baden College, Indiana, as well as an M.A. in theology from Loyola University Chicago.  He was ordained on June 14, 1954, and later professed final vows on August 15, 1960.

From 1956 to 1958, Fr. Beckman served as the assistant pastor at Holy Family Church in Chicago.  He went on to serve in various ministries throughout the Midwest as an instructor of philosophy and theology, and student counselor at Loyola University Chicago from 1959-1960.  Fr. Beckman then functioned as the director of men’s residence at Loyola from 1960-1961 before moving on to his roles as assistant principal and principal at St. Xavier High School for eight years.  “Jack was principal of St. X when I started high school,” explains Fr. Tom Kreidler of Cincinnati, Ohio, in an online tribute.  “He was a wonderful colleague when I was ordained, and he provided help at my parish.  He was a fine gentleman and faithful priest.”

After six years at St. Xavier High School, Fr. Beckman went on to serve as assistant director of university college at Loyola University Chicago from 1967-1969.  Jack then spent eight years as the director of admissions and counseling at Loyola University before acting as retreat house director at the Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford in Milford, Ohio from 1979-1992.  “People felt welcome with him there,” says Fr. Deye, SJ.

Fr. Beckman spent the remainder of his years serving as an alumni and hospital chaplain at St. Xavier High School where Fr. Deye joked that Fr. Beckman had “probably married half the city.”

In an online tribute a longtime friend writes, “Father Beckman changed my life when I met him 48 years ago.  I have so many wonderful memories both religious and fun times.  He loved his vocation and his family and friends.  I will miss seeing his warm smile.”

Memorial gifts:

Memorial gifts may be made to The Jesuits, 2050 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614.

To make an online contribution, click here.