Marcus Beeck
Sir Marcus Truby Beeck (28 December 1923 – 2 May 1986) was an Australian farmer and businessman. He served as president of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia from 1975 to 1978 and as chairman of Wesfarmers from 1983 until his death. Early life Beeck was the son of Martha Ellen (née Keast) and Gustav Edwin Beeck. He was born at the family property in Katanning, Western Australia. Beeck learned by distance education in all but his final year of schooling. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in May 1942 and trained as a fitter, serving in the Northern Territory, in Borneo, and on Morotai. On his return to Australia, Beeck acquired a sheep and grain property at Coyrecup (just east of Katanning). He married Leonie Robertson in 1950, with whom he would have four children. Career Community service Beeck served on the Katanning Road Board from 1947 to 1951, and was involved with many local organisations. He was elected as a councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia in 1966, and served as president from 1975 to 1978, overseeing a redevelopment of the Claremont Showground. Beeck accompanied numerous overseas trade missions (often under