An Interesting but Unrelated Neighbor

Just a few steps from the Dunn Cemetery sits Beck Chapel. It’s fair to assume that the two share some history, but no—the chapel has its own interesting story.

Frank Beck, BA 1894, MA 1895, and Daisy Woodward, BA 1899, met during their college years in Bloomington. The couple married in 1899 and settled in Chicago, where they embarked on a life of ministry, social work, and teaching. After retiring in 1934, they moved back to Bloomington and volunteered their services to President Herman B Wells, BS’24, MA’27, LLD’62. They focused their work on campus-related religious projects.

For many years, they envisioned a place on campus where people of all faiths could gather for prayer and meditation. In 1941, the Becks presented IU with a founding gift to create a chapel. Thanks to their time and determination, Beck Chapel—built with Indiana limestone and wood from southern Indiana forests—was dedicated in 1957.

The Becks died in their 90s, Frank in 1968 and Daisy in 1972. Given their love of IU, it’s no surprise to learn that they wanted to be buried on campus.

In keeping with their wishes, Frank’s and Daisy’s cremains are interred north of the chapel and just east of the Dunn Cemetery, near a limestone fence in a deeply shaded, ivy-covered corner. A simple stone bears their names, but even that is no longer visible, covered over by the beauty of nature.