Dr. John K. Beddow
Dr. John Keith Beddow (Keith) passed peacefully on February 15, 2025 unto his everlasting life, to join his beloved Joan, who predeceased him.
Keith was born in Lancashire, England on June 2, 1932. He lived out his childhood playing sports, but was always dedicated to academics. Keith was a curious child and grew into an intellectually brilliant man: speaking six languages; tinkling the keys as a talented pianist; playing competitive rugby, tennis and rowing 8-man crew.
At twelve years old, Keith prepared to leave school due to his father’s failing health to help provide for his family. Summers with hard work in the steelworks and as a laborer building roads across Europe allowed him to support himself. Fortunately he was able to carry on and graduate from Cambridge University with his PhD.
At 19 years old life changed again as he met the love of his life at a party for nurses. They said Keith made a beeline for Joan across the dance floor, and that was the beginning of a romance for the ages—one that continued for over 70 years until her passing.
Together they were an adventurous force to be reckoned with, moving their young family to the USA in search of the American Dream. They arrived at the Port of Galveston, headed for their first stop at Texas A&M.
Seeking a wholesome place for their four daughters, the family was soon off to Iowa, where Keith began to build the Materials Science Division at the University of Iowa. Always focused on performance, he was an extensively published scientific author, a National Science Foundation funded professor who loved to teach, support graduate students and young professors in the department. Dr. Beddow was invited to speak at hundreds of universities around the world, and enjoyed leadership positions in the Fine Particle Society for many years. Keith’s love of history aligned with his natural interest in traveling the world.
After retirement and years of cold climates, Joan and Keith settled in Santa Barbara, CA, which they called home for over 20 years. The bluebirds joined Keith daily on his walks to the sea and he hand fed them peanuts along the way. These were the golden years with Joan, the love of his life, enjoying the ocean, their gardens, the symphony orchestra and the opera.
Keith leaves behind his four daughters Siobain Beddow and Francesca Beddow of Hillsboro, Oregon, Katherine (Scott) Pritchett of Hollywood, Florida and Isabell (Eric Bloch) Beddow of Hillsborough, California. His seven grandchildren Allison, Jonathan, Cameron, Bryce, Ryan, Grace and Owen, remain as well to cherish his memory and honor his legacy.
There will be a private memorial service with the family, jointly honoring John Keith Beddow and Joan Beddow.
