01/06/2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Robert A. Beckerle passed away on Christmas Eve. Bob had been in nursing care since 2020. He contracted covid and was hospitalized at the time of his death.
He will be missed. He was our senior partner and a ready reference when we needed information and insight.
His legal career lasted over 60 years. His community involvement included Jaycees where he served as Vice-President and Director. He was involved in establishment of the Senior Bowl, and the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. The U. S. Jaycees awarded Bob Outstanding First Year Jaycee of Alabama in 1963.
Bob was instrumental in drafting the ordinance creating the Mobile Historic Development Commission and Architectural Review Board, leading to the creation of Mobile's Historic District.
Bob served as a Special Judge, Mobile County District Court and was an Assistant City Attorney for Mobile.
During the 60's. Bob was a Young Democrat, was Publicity Director of the local organization and later was elected as Chairman of the Mobile County Democratic Executive Committee. He was presented by the committee with an Award of Distinction in 2008 for his service.
In 1993, Bob and a group of clergy and laypersons formed Alabama Christian Faith Alliance. He was their Chairman. And, he was one of four plaintiffs in the successful lawsuit against then-Chief Justice Roy Moore which resulted in removal of the Ten Commandments monument from the Judicial Building in Montgomery. He was a long-time member of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. was a member of the National Advisory Committee of AUSCS. He served as a Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, was on the Coordinating Council of Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and a Director of the Alliance of Baptists. Bob was Chairman of Deacons and a Trustee of Hillcrest Baptist Church. In the early 2000's, Bob served on the Alabama Poverty Project.
An Auburn University graduate ('57) in Civil Engineering, Bob was Editor of The Auburn Engineer, President of the Engineering School Student Body, was in Who's Who, American Students, and a member of ODK (Blue Key); and was named a Golden Eagle in 2007. You could hear Bob yell "War Eagle" everywhere he went. His office was filled with Auburn mementos and artwork.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, John Henry Beckerle, Jr. and Beatrice Elizabeth.Austin Beckerle Zeigrist, and his Step-father Howard M. Zeigrist, Jr., his brother, Richard M. Zeigrist, and by his two sons, Robert A. Beckerle, Jr. and William A. Beckerle. He is survived by his wife, Vivian Sheffield Beckerle, their daughter, Amy Emiline Beckerle Andrews, and his two grandchildren, Edsel A. (Trey) Andrews, III.and Louise Elizabeth (Lucy) Andrews.and his sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl Zeigrist Lehn (Jack).
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