CPAA 08-05 Andrew J. Beck papers 1927-2008 CPAA 08-05 Finding Aid Finding aid prepared by Renata Vickrey Connecticut Polish American Archives, Elihu Burritt Library, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain

New Britain, Conn.

2008

Finding aid encoded in MSWord2008 Finding aid written in English Connecticut Polish American Archives, Elihu Burritt Library, Central Connecticut State University Andrew J. Beck, 1927-2008 Finding Aid CPAA 08-05 Compiled by Renata Vickrey December 2008

Collection Overview Andrew J. Beck Andrew J. Beck Papers 1927-2008 CPAA 08-05 2 folders (0.25 linear ft.) Connecticut Polish American Archives, Elihu Burritt Library, Central Connecticut State University Andrew J. Beck, an engineering executive, worked in several American engineering companies where he was responsible for the Eastern European trade during the Cold War years. Andrzej Beck was born in Poland and when WWII broke out he was only 13 years old. He left the country with his mother, Maria Slominska, at the end of September 1939 escaping the Germans and Russians. He is the only son of Jozef Beck, the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs before World War II. The collection consists of memoirs written by Andrzej Beck for his family, and DVD with a TVN Polish television production about Jozef Beck. The CD includes interviews with Andrzej Beck and people who were closed to his father, Mr. Jozef Beck during WWII. English.Polish. Biographical Note

Andrew J. Beck, son of Maria (Slominska) and Jozef Beck, the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1932 till the outbreak of WWII. Andrew Beck was born on September 11, 1926 in Warsaw, Poland. He left Poland in fall of 1939 when the WWII broke out and through Romania, Italy, France and Portugal came to the United States in 1940. He received his engineering degree from the Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. He worked in several engineering companies in the United States till 1983 when he established his own company Eastport Trading Co. in Cheshire, CT. Mr. Beck served with the Polish Armed Forces in the West from 1944 till 1946. He married Ewa Jedrzejewicz, daughter of Mr. Waclaw Jedrzejewicz, who was the Minister of Education before WWII in Poland. Mr. Jedrzejewicz later established the Pilsudski Institute in New York City. Mr. Andrew Beck was active in several Polish American organizations: Polish American Congress, the Pilsudski Institute in New York, and Studium - North American Study Center for Political Affairs. Mr. Beck retired from his professional position in 2004, but he is still active in Polish American organizations. He resides in Fairfield, CT.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The collection consists of memoirs written by Andrew Beck for his family and friends. It covers years in pre war Poland till 2008. Collection also consists of a CD with the Polish television program about Jozef Beck, the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs before the WW II. The television program includes archival footage and interviews with various people who knew Minister Jozef Beck personally.

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Andrew J. Beck Papers (CPAA 08-05). Connecticut Polish American Archives, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain.

Donated by Mr. Andrew J. Beck in May 2008.

Processed by Renata Vickrey.

Search Terms Beck, Andrew J. Beck, Jozef, 1894-1944 Polish Americans - Connecticut - Biography. Businesspeople - Connecticut - Biography . Engineers - United States - Biography. Memoirs. Interview. Container List

[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]

1 1 Story of an interesting life. Memoirs. (Consists of 85 pages, including illustartions). 2007 1 2 "O moim ojcu" (About my father),the Polish Television program about Jozef Beck 2008