Anatole Beck

Madison: Anatole Beck, age 84, beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother and uncle, mathematician, and educator went unwillingly to explore infinity in the early morning of December 21, 2014. Anatole was born the son of Morris and Minnie (Rosenblum) Beck in New York on March 19, 1930. He received his BA from Brooklyn College, and Masters and PhD from Yale University. His 52 year teaching career included Chair of Mathematics at London School of Economics, visiting professor at Cornell University, Hebrew University, Gottingen University, University of London, University of Warwick, Imperial College, Williams University, London School of Economics, University of Erlangen, Republic of Germany, Tulane University, and assistant professor, associate professor, professor of math at the University of Wisconsin. During his time at the University, he was co-founder and served as president of the Wisconsin University Union, and was a long time activist member of University Faculty Senate. Anatole has donated his body to the UW Medical School Foundation, and will continue his legacy as a teacher.

Anatole's brother, Bernard Beck, describes him as "a man of enormous strength and talent and generosity, but life gave him a tremendous burden. He carried that burden and did well by so many people around him. But at a great cost. What we see now is the response of a boy who had to shoulder the responsibility of a man. It wasn't just hard circumstances, it was also the need to care for a frightened, sad mother and a frightened, helpless brother. He did it and allowed us to thrive and do our best. But he is never off-duty and he always has to cope on his own, because no one else is strong or smart enough to do what must be done. He insists on dealing with things himself; he always had to."

Anatole's son, Micah, viewed his father as a Polymath; a teacher, researcher, author, inventor, social commentator, city planner, environmentalist, and architectural designer. He was always expanding his horizons; biking, cross country skiing, hiking, and piloting. He said his father always wanted everyone to be aware that we are all part of a larger world.

Nina, Anatole's daughter, spoke of her father's love of language that was exhibited to her, her partner Stacy, and their son Seth. He was a Linguist, speaking English, Yiddish, Russian, German, Hebrew, French, and Spanish. She said, "My father was an amazing man who taught me so much about standing up for what you believe in. I am most proud of his political activity, and impressed with his generosity and kindness towards people in need."

Anatole is survived by his wife, Eve Siegel Beck; daughter, Nina (Stacy Jolles) Beck; son, Micah (Rebecca) Beck; brother, Bernard Beck; step-daughters, Amy (Matthew Hallaron) Novick, Pam (Prathivadi RJ) Novick; grandchildren, Sam (Louise) Beck, Adiara (TJ Cissoko) Wright Beck, Koura Wright, Michelle, Chrissy, and Ian Rukeyser and sibling, Jane, Seth Jolles, Arien and Samantha vanMol, Shira and Ariana Hallaron; and many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind friends and family in London, Germany, Israel, Greece, Michigan, Maryland, Vermont, Virginia, Georgia, California, the Carolinas, New York, and Washington, DC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Minnie and Morris Beck and a grandson, Noah Jolles.

Family will observe Shiva at the family home, 4818 Marathon Dr., Madison, WI 53705 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm on Monday, December 22, 2014 and Tuesday, December 23, 2014. The family requests you bring a short written memory of Anatole to share with them.

The family thanks Dr. Eugene Musser, Dr. Richard Day, Dr. David Ciske, Dr. Vicken Voorperian, Meriter Hospital staff of 8 Tower, 3 North, Rehab Program, Pacer Clinic, Wellness Center, and the Cardiac and Stroke Survivor Groups, Mallatts Pharmacy, and Agrace HospiceCare. Your dedication, care, and support was appreciated.

Contributions in Memory of Anatole Beck are suggested to the following:
Human Rights Campaign, www.hrc.org/donate; University of Tennessee College of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 120 Perkins Hall, 1506 Middle Dr., Knoxville TN 37996-2012; Beit Olamim Madison Jewish Cemetery or Jewish Social Services of Madison, c/o Jewish Federation 6434 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719; UW Math Dept. Talent Search Scholarship, mail to: US Bank Lock Box, Box 78807, Milwaukee WI 53278-0807, (notate on check; Talent Search Funds, In Memory of Anatole Beck), or online to "Department of Mathematics Annual Fund 1255920 for the Support of Talent Search" http://www.math.wisc.edu/donate, WORT Radio, Madison, or Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy. Fitchburg, WI 53711.

Please share a memory of Anatole at www.CressFuneralService.com


DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT
Dylan Thomas --
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.



Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-3434