Richard Beswick, 1941-2006

REDLANDS, Calif. – Richard R. Beswick, an attorney and longtime resident of Redlands, Calif. and Vail, died of a heart attack in the early morning on Nov. 27. Beswick was a native southern Californian, born in Hollywood on April 23, 1941. He attended the Harvard School in North Hollywood for seven years, graduating in 1958, after which he received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Occidental College in 1962, and earned his LLB from USC School of Law in June, 1965. Beswick worked for 40 years with the firm of Milligan and Beswick as a specialist in the fields of criminal and family law. He was a member of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers (for whom he served as a member of the board of governors), California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, and the Association of Certified Specialists of Family Law for Southern California, in addition to many other professional affiliations.

Beswick and his wife, Carole, have been homeowners in Vail since 1973. Local David Honda fondly said he remembers Rick as a great sports enthusiast and a wonderful role model for his son, David, Jr..Packy Walker, a friend for over 35 years said Beswick was “one of my four best friends ever. We were involved in boat racing and numerous pranks these last 35 years. He was a true friend, and I shall miss him.”Mary Lawrence, a client and eventual good friend said, “Rick had a major impact on my life as an attorney, and eventually as a wonderful friend. My life would not be the same were it not for Rick and Carole.”

Beswick is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carole Beswick; son Doug and daughter-in-law Julie Beswick; daughter Michelle Beswick Smith and son-in-law Everett Smith; son Brad Beswick; grandson Derek Beswick; mother Mary Ann Medler; sisters Mary Kay Sidell and Bettie Ann Fusano; brother-in-law Herb Horstmann; and a host of colleagues and friends. Private services are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rick Beswick Memorial Fund at the USC School of Law, 699 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90089, or the Boy Scouts of America, Grayback District, PO Box 8910, Redlands, CA 92375, Rick Beswick Memorial. A service will be held this summer in Vail.

Vail Daily, Vail Colorado CO