Obituary of Leland Beik, 93

Leland L. Beik, 93, of State College, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2013.

He was born in 1920, in Albany NY, the son of Arthur K. Beik and Kathleen (Larson) Beik.

He attended schools in Albany New York and graduated from high school in 1937. He enrolled in Union College in Schenectady, NY, and graduated in 1941. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and received pilot training in several types of aircraft, including the B-17, which he flew in World War II. He served on active duty for four years, including two years in Italy, and then continued his service in the reserves until he retired as a Colonel in 1980.

He attended Columbia University in New York in the College of Business, earning a Masters of Business Administration in 1947. He then began teaching at the University of Buffalo, N.Y. in 1947. While teaching at the University of Buffalo, Leland met and married Ruth Foley in 1949. Leland adopted Ruth’s daughter, Donna.

In 1951, the young family moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he taught for five years at the University of Arkansas while he completed his dissertation and earned his Ph. D. from Columbia University. After earning his doctorate in 1956, Leland accepted a position at Penn State University where he taught in the school of Business Administration for the next 30 years, retiring in 1986. He is co-author of " Marketing Research and Analysis" with Lyndon O. Brown, Ronald Press, US 1969.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Carroll, his twin, and Paul, and two sisters, Alverda Beik and Alora Soucek.

Leland is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth, and his six children, five daughters; Donna, Carol (Greg), Janet (Robert), Paula (Evan), and Linda, one son, David (Patti), and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, 501 Howard Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601.

A Memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801.