Spring 2007 - Purdue College of Pharmacy - Purdue University

2006 Distinguished Alumni Awards
Stanley H. Beck (BS 1955)
Retired, Vice President of Marketing
Abbott Laboratories
ay
L to R: Pharmacy Award Recipients
Don Newman, Gerald Migliaccio,
Joyce Collins, Dean Craig Svensson,
Stan Beck (seated), Thomas Zioncheck,
and John Derr
Stan Beck is a native of Lebanon, Indiana. He received his BS in Pharmacy
from Purdue University in 1955. During his years at Purdue, Stan was an
active member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club representing the University at
numerous venues. He also was a member of Rho Chi, Phi Lambda Upsilon,
Kappa Psi, and Sigma Pi. Stan gained a taste of the pharmaceutical industry
by working part-time for Lafayette Pharmacal while a student at Purdue.
Following graduation in 1955, Stan accepted a research pharmacist position
with Abbott Laboratories—the only research position open in the country
at that time. Dr. Glen Sperandio recommended Stan for the job. During his 41
year tenure at Abbott Laboratories, Stan was involved with various aspects
of the company, both in research and marketing. In addition to receiving a
patent for an improved heparin injection, he was involved with formulations
for Hytrin, Abbokinase, Cylert, Erythromycin, and Vi-Daylin. He was selected
as the first candidate in a new Executive Training Program which Abbott
implemented in 1957, where he experienced all major areas of manufacturing,
packaging, production planning, marketing, and field sales.
After completing the program, he became the Manager of Sales Promotion
and later the Vice President for Marketing where he managed many
new products for Abbott. In the last few years before he retired, he served as
Director of Global Reimbursement which was the only position of its kind in
the industry. He had to correlate reimbursement regulations as they pertained
to diagnostic equipment. He served not only Abbott but advised many other
companies, as well.
During a portion of his time with Abbott, Stan also worked part-time at
several local pharmacies. He went to night school for six years at the University
of Chicago, receiving his MBA in 1965. Stan and his wife, Charlotte,
enjoyed golf, boating, watching their son at racing events, and family trips to
their cabin in Northern Illinois.
Upon his retirement, Stan and Charlotte returned home to Lebanon. Stan’s
impetus to return to Lebanon was predicated through a desire to give back to
a community loved by both him and his wife. The Becks have spearheaded
programs to help redevelop the downtown area by rehabilitating a major
Lebanon business building, and opened a downtown deli-restaurant. They
are major contributors to Witham Hospital and a new community center, and
develop and manage a “Keep Lebanon Beautiful” program.
The Becks are members of the Rolls Royce Owners Club and often take
short trips with their friends in the club. They also enjoy spending time with
their three children, Jeffrey, Nicole, and Cheryl, as well as their two granddaughters,
Sarah and Jennifer.
the PURDUE pharmacist n SPRING 2007
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