Marshall Beard Office of the President April 12, 1972 All Staff Members:
Dr. Marshall R. Beard, Registrar and Director of Technical Services and Planning at the University, passed away at Sartori Hospital, Tuesday evening, April 11, 1972, following an apparent heart attack. He was born at Marion, Indiana, in 1903. Dr. Beard graduated from Marion College in 1929 and earned the M. A. and Ph. D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin. He came to the University of Northern Iowa in 1930 as an instructor of history and in 1942 was appointed Registrar and Admissions Officer. Simultaneously, he served as Director of Technical Services and Planning. Dr. Beard was widely known and deeply respected, particularly among college registrars and admissions officers. He continued an active professional life in addition to his great administrative contributions to the development of the University of Northern Iowa.
When asked by the press for a statement late last night, I gave the following comments: The entire university community is saddened by the death of Dr. Marshall Beard and extends its deepest sympathy to Mrs. Beard and the family. The university has lost one of its great men. Dr. Beard was a major force in the remarkable development of the University of Northern Iowa. His accomplishments were numerous; they were of great importance; and they were often little known due to his characteristic modesty. He faced death as he faced life -- undaunted and unafraid. Last fall, when Dr. Beard submitted his resignation, I wrote to him as follows: I can't begin to describe to you the mixture of feelings with which I regarded your letter. Perhaps the deepest was one of keen awareness of how much we shall lose when we lose your services. The University of Northern Iowa has been very fortunate to have such a distinguished person as yourself filling the many roles that you have filled. Your contributions to the University exceed my capacity to describe them. The Nottger Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with burial in Fairview Cemetery. Dr. Harold E. Bernhard, Director of Religious Activities and Professor of Religion at the University of Northern Iowa, will conduct the services. The flag will be flown at half-mast, and the Campanile bells will be played during the time of the funeral service in memory of Dr. Beard. Memorials may be made to the UNI Foundation. Dr. Beard is survived by his wife, the former Jane Campbell; two daughters, Jean Beard of San Jose, California, and Phyllis (Mrs. Dan) Steele, 606 West 20th Street, Cedar Falls; a sister, Mrs. Theodore Dierks, Hinsdale, Illinois; and three grandchildren.
Sincerely, John J. Kamerick President