The Richard J. Beckmen Endowed Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in loving memory of Richard J. Beckmen by his brother, Thomas Beckmen, in honor of his lifelong vocation and ministry to the Church and its people. Pastor Dick was born in Chicago, Illinois, and married the love of his life, Solveig, at St. Olaf College where they met in the orchestra. He was father to Kari, Siri, John and Mikkel. Dick graduated from Luther Seminary in 1958 and began what would become 62 years of ministry serving parishes in North Dakota and Minnesota and in the national office of the American Lutheran Church in youth and young adult ministry. Dick was a certified spiritual director, author, and chaplain in the Order of St. Luke, an ecumenical healing ministry. He received the Faithfulness in Ministry Cross from Luther Seminary. He loved his time serving parishes in rural North Dakota and felt a strong connection to the land and prairies. The natural land was very much a part of his spiritual practice, seeing God in nature. Throughout his ministry, he was interested in helping young people find God and advocating for social justice in the communities he served.