Obituaries

Mr. Wesley was active in several professional and civic organizations, including the Alpha Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Fraternal Order of Police. He volunteered with the Metropolitan Boys and Girls Club in Washington.

His recreational pursuits included being in the company of his grandchildren, genealogy research, music and reading.

His marriage to Marlene Wesley ended in divorce.

Survivors include three children, Deborah Wesley and Michael Wesley, both of Lanham, and Yvette Schuler of Lorton; a sister; and four grandchildren.

Francis Ridley BeckmannArmy Colonel, Fairfax Deputy

Francis Ridley Beckmann, 80, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army and Fairfax County deputy sheriff, died of cancer Feb. 2 at Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Leesburg. He lived in Linden.

Col. Beckmann, a native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and a West Point graduate, served in the Army from 1944 to 1970, with posts in the Philippines, Korea, Alaska, Texas, Italy, Alabama, Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and Fort Meade.

He was a military policeman, public information officer, military historian and intelligence officer. He published military histories of Alaska, Italy and Vietnam. In 1960, he received a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

Among his military honors were two awards of the Bronze Star Medal.

After leaving the Army in 1970, Col. Beckmann worked for the next 12 years on the sheriff's force in Fairfax County, retiring in 1982.

He enjoyed history, collected stamps and coins, and was an outdoorsman. He was also a member of the Lions Club.

His marriage to Elizabeth Bodmer Beckmann ended in divorce.

His wife of 44 years, Suzanna Wilson Beckmann, died in 2000.