Beck, D. Elden, 1906-

D. Elden Beck was born on 11 April 1906 in Spanish Fork, UT. He received a Bachelors and a Masters degree in 1929 and 1931. Beck went on to Iowa State College and finished his Doctorate degree in 1933. Beck then taught and Dixie Junior College until 1938 when he was hired at BYU as a professor of zoology and entomology. Beck was appointed chairman of the Zoology and Entomology department at BYU in 1961 where he served until his death in 1967. Beck worked on research teams in Taiwan researching malaria carrying insects and in Nevada studying the effects of atom bombs on the native wildlife. He published a number of books and many articles related to his work. Beck died at the age of 61.

From the description of Papers, 1924-1964. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78686529

D. Elden Beck (1906-1967) taught at Brigham Young University and served as the chairman of the Zoology and Entomology for 6 years. He published many works, one of the most prominent being a workbook for the study on invertebrates entitled Invertebrate Zoology.

D. Elden Beck was born on April 11, 1906 in Spanish Fork, UT. After moving around some during his childhood, Beck began his collegiate studies at Brigham Young University in 1925. His hobbies included photography, painting, poetry and writing. He received a Bachelors and a Masters degree in 1929 and 1931. Beck went on to Iowa State College and finished his Doctorate degree in 1933. Beck then taught at Dixie Junior College until 1938 when he was hired at BYU as a professor of zoology and entomology. Beck was appointed chairman of the Zoology and Entomology department at BYU in 1961 where he served until his death in 1967. Beck worked on research teams in Taiwan researching malaria-carrying insects and in Nevada studying the effects of atom bombs on the native wildlife. He published a number of books and many articles related to his work.

Beck was recognized early in his career. While serving as president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Provo, he received the Outstanding Man of the Year award, and was mentioned in Who's Who of America. Beck served in WWII, spending most of his time in Guadalcanal. There, Beck compiled a collection of more than 16,000 insect specimens and donated it to BYU. Later in life he was recognized again, this time just before his death, earning the Karl G. Maeser award in 1967. During his long and distinguished career, Beck published a number of books and articles. One of his most prominent writings was a workbook for the study on invertebrates entitled Invertebrate Zoology–for which he studied and compiled text for more than 20 years.

Beck worked on many research teams during his lifetime. He spent two years in the Taiwan Provincial Malaria Research Institute working closely with the World Health Organization and the Chinese government. Beck also worked on research teams aimed at studying the effects of over 100 atomic bomb detonations in the Nevada test area. This project was organized and funded by the Atomic Energy Commission. Beck passed away at the age of 61.

From the guide to the D. Elden Beck personal papers, 1924-1964, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)