Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 16, 1993 TAG: 9310160200
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Beecher, 79, was also a charter member of the town of Blacksburg's Townscape Committee and Price House Advisory Board.
"I never heard anyone speak any negative words about Al," said Blacksburg Mayor Roger Hedgepeth, who worked with Beecher both at Virginia Tech and in civic affairs. "He was always around when someone needed him."
Hedgepeth said Blacksburg's intensive landscaping program owes a lot to Beecher's dedication.
Blacksburg Town Council member Frances Parsons said Beecher "will be missed in the community."
Beecher retired from the horticulture department at Virginia Tech in 1978 with 31 years of service.
Paul Smeal worked under Beecher at Tech in 1960 and took over as editor of the VN Newsletter following Beecher's term in the post from 1957-64.
"He's the one who taught me and showed me what it was all about," Smeal said.
Funeral services for Beecher will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.