Dr. Obituary

Dr. Barry F. Beck passed away November 28, 2011, at the age of 67 after a series of strokes left him debilitated with "Locked-in syndrome" for over the past 2 years.

Born in Hershey, PA to father, Daniel Beck, and mother, Verna Beck, Barry was raised almost entirely in a lower class setting in Rochester, NY. Paving his own path to success, Barry first obtained his Bachelor's degree in geology at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute and then followed with his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in geology from Rice University in Houston, TX. Barry's intrigue in caves led him to Puerto Rico to work for the Department of Natural Resources in which he conducted investigations in tropical karst, researched caves on the island, as well as hosted expeditions for cavers exploring Puerto Rico.

He then made his move to Georgia, first working for the GA Dept of Natural Resources in Atlanta, and then as professor of geology at Georgia Southwestern College, in Americus, GA. At Georgia Southwestern he led many caving expeditions with students, one which is featured on the Weather Channel's "Storm Stories" in which he and his group are trapped in a cave overnight after extensive flooding and he leads them all to a safe escape. Americus, GA is also where he met his second wife and love of his life, Dr. Penny Lukin,

They soon moved to Orlando, FL together where Barry became the first, and only, Director of Florida Sinkhole Research Institute at the University of Central Florida. There Barry conducted karst research, studying caves and sinkholes,as well as establishing the series of international multidisciplinary sinkhole conferences, which are still being held to this day.

Eventually the closing of the Sinkhole Institute brought Barry and his family to Oak Ridge, TN where he joined P.E. Lamoreaux & Associates, Inc. and directed their Oak Ridge branch for the next 18 years. In 2004, The NSS (National Speleological Society), presented Barry with their highest award, Honorary Membership, for his lifetime of contributions and study of speleology and karst.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Barry was an incredibly active, energetic and passionate individual, biking or running on almost a daily basis, and an avid hiker and tennis player as well. Barry and Penny shared a passion for dancing, through participating in classes and groups of every caliber, specifically clogging and various forms of folk dancing in which Barry even at one time held the position of President of the Muckalee Mudstompers, the Americus, GA clogging group. Barry also loved to explore the world through travel, travelling through business and adventure, bringing family to countries all over from countries like Guam all the way to Russia and to Argentina.

After his brain stem stroke in 2009 left him in a very uniquely debilitated state, known as "Locked-in Syndrome", Barry opted to participate in brain-computer interface research with Dr. Eric Sellers from the psychology dept of East TN State University Barry was one of the first people in the world with a brain stem stroke to use this form of communication.

Overwhelming gratitude is sent out to all the staff of Harriman Care and Rehabilitation for their compassionate care over the past two years, Dr. Eric Sellers for his committed research, Dr. Jeffrey Hecht of UT Medical Center, and all the friends and family that supported Barry and his family throughout his illness.

Barry is survived by his eternally loving and grateful family: Penny, wife of 32 years; children; son, Erik, his wife Jill, and grandchildren Coty and Kelly, of Americus, GA; daughter, Jenny, of San Antonio, TX; son, Hans, his wife Angela Marsico, and granddaughter, Sophia Marsico-Beck of Hendersonville, NC; daughter Sonja, of San Francisco, CA; and son Daniel, currently of Asheville, NC.

The funeral will be at 2 PM on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to a charity of your choice or one of Barry's favorite charities: The Nature Conservancy, the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, and The East Tennessee State University Fund.