James S Beckwith III

James S. Beckwith III of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Ligonier, and president and chairman of the former Beckwith Machinery Co., died on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in Vero Beach. He was 76. Mr. Beckwith served as president of the board of directors of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. According to his wife, he understood that the YMCA provided a physical outlet and guidance for many young men, particularly for those who were less privileged. Among his many other nonprofit associations, Mr. Beckwith supported the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, served on the Homewood Cemetery Board, and for more than 30 years served on the boards of the Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Hospital, Institute and Foundation. In Vero Beach, Mr. Beckwith was a benefactor of the Riverside Theater and was deeply interested in McKee Botanical Garden, St. Edward's School and The Indian River Medical Center. Mr. Beckwith was raised in Squirrel Hill, one of two sons of George B. and Virginia Porter Beckwith. His father was the chairman of the board of Beckwith Machinery Co., considered one of the largest distributors of Caterpillar tractors, which was founded by Mr. Beckwith's grandfather in 1909. Mr. Beckwith graduated from Shady Side Academy in 1949 and in 1953 received a degree in economics from Yale. While in college, he married Alice Snodgrass, the young woman he took to her prom when he was attending Shady Side Academy and she was a student at the Ellis School. In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Beckwith is survived by a daughter, Kathryn Beckwith Gaier of Vero Beach; son, James Scott Beckwith IV of Lee, Mass.; seven granddaughters; and a brother, G. Nicholas Beckwith III of Fox Chapel.