William “Bill” Beckwith, Professor Emeritus of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, passed away on July 13, 2025.
Beckwith began his Clemson career on February 1, 1963, and retired on January 1, 2000. He joined the Emeritus College on April 20, 2015, totaling more than 38 years of service with the University.
In addition to his work as a faculty member, Beckwith served as Clemson’s head men’s tennis coach from 1974-75 after nine seasons as an assistant coach from 1964-1973.
Beckwith earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. from Iowa State University.
A memorial service will be held at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson on Saturday, August 9, at 11 a.m.
Clemson University mourns the death of Martin Beagley, graphics manager for Clemson University Marketing and Communications.
“Martin’s warmth, humor, and care for others left a lasting impression on all who knew him,” said Dave Lee, assistant vice president of marketing and communications for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences and Innovation Campuses. “Over his 26+ years at Clemson, he made many meaningful contributions not only through his creative work but also through the kindness and camaraderie he shared with colleagues. He will be deeply missed.”
Beagley began his Clemson career on November 30, 1998, totaling more than 26 years of service. Beagley had a deep passion for the Science as Art program and played a key role in launching Clemson’s involvement at Artisphere.
Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.
Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.
Paul Bernard Zielinski, Clemson University Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering and Director of Water Resource Research, passed away on July 10, 2025.
Zielinski began his Clemson career in 1967, joining the Emeritus College in 1991 after more than 24 years of service.
Zielinski earned degrees from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
A funeral mass will be offered on Friday, July 18, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Clemson at 10 a.m. with a reception following in the church social hall.
Clemson University mourns the death of America Murray, systems developer/programmer for the Clemson University Foundation.
“America Murray had a heart full of grace and a smile that spoke kindness every day,” said Tim Jones, chief technology officer for the Clemson University Foundation. “She brought warmth, humor, and heart to everything she did, whether sharing a laugh, lending a hand, or simply showing up with her signature smile. Her passion for her work and her care for those around her made a lasting impact. From tea chats and music talks to helping classmates and teammates alike, America made every moment better. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit and the joy she brought will stay with us always.”
Murray joined the Clemson University Foundation on March 25, 2024.
Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.
A viewing is scheduled at 10 a.m. on August 2 at Dickinson Mortuary (4700 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, S.C.) followed by a celebration of life from 11-12:30 p.m.
Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.
Chalmers McNair Butler, Clemson University Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Clemson, S.C.
Butler began his Clemson career in 1985 and retired in 2011. He joined the Emeritus College in April 2015 and was rehired as an affiliate from July 2011 until his passing. During his time at Clemson, he was named Alumni Distinguished Professor and the Warren H. Owen Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He also earned the Class of ’39 Award for Excellence, one of the University’s most prestigious faculty honors, in 1997.
An avid woodworker, Butler combined his woodworking and Class of ’39 endeavors to construct an artisan-esque, handmade mallet for striking the Guard House Bell in the Cadet Life Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Garden to honor deceased class members every year in the annual Class of ’39 Memorial Service. The mallet continues to be used to honor class members and, poetically, will be used to honor Butler himself.
Butler earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Clemson University and his Ph.D. (1962) at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the churchyard cemetery at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pendleton, S.C.
A festive celebration of life will be held in Clemson at a later date.
Raul Garcia Mora, retired agricultural/animal assistant at the Edisto Research and Education Center, passed away on June 2, 2025.
Mora began his Clemson career on August 23, 1996, and retired on April 1, 2019, totaling more than 22 years of service with the University.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the Swallow Savannah Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Keith Smith Funeral Service, 128 Water Street, Allendale, S.C.
Mary Polen, retired administrative assistant with the National Dropout Prevention Center, passed away on April 21, 2025.
Polen began her Clemson career on October 28, 1977, and retired on July 1, 1994. She was then rehired from 1996 to 2011, totaling 32 years of service with the University. In addition to the National Dropout Prevention Center, she also worked for the computer center and provost’s office.
Clemson University mourns the death of Brenda Burk, University records officer for Clemson Libraries.
“Brenda will be deeply missed by everyone in the Libraries. She was truly passionate about archiving and preserving history, and she made a huge impact in her roles leading Special Collections and Archives and Records Management. She was dedicated to her work and was very good at engaging with the campus community,” said Clemson Libraries Dean Chris Cox. “My thoughts go out to Brenda’s family and friends during this difficult time, as well as to her colleagues here in the Libraries and across campus.”
Burk began her Clemson career on April 7, 2014, totaling more than 11 years of service with the University.
“We are deeply saddened to learn the news of Brenda’s passing. Brenda has been a valuable member of our University community over her 11 years at Clemson,” said Ariel Turner, associate dean of collections and discovery. “Her passion for preserving and interpreting our local history and her work on records management have been enormously impactful. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.”
Bill Cline ’77 shows a collection of his father’s items to Brenda Burk. Cline’s father was U.S. Army Cpt. William Cline, a 1941 Clemson College graduate, who was company commander of the 758th Light Tank Battalion, the only black tank battalion in WWII. The 758th served alongside the 92nd Infantry Division “Buffalo Soldiers,” and fought in Italy against the famous German “Gothic Line.” (Photo by Ken Scar)
“Her passion for helping others related to history and Clemson has been beneficial to all with Clemson University,” said Rick Owens, historic preservation officer with University Facilities.
Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.
Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.
