The American Forest Resource Council mourns the passing of Paul Beck, a respected leader whose decades of service left a lasting mark on the forest products industry and the communities it supports.
AFRC President Travis Joseph reflected on Paul’s impact:
“The American Forest Resource Council mourns the passing of Paul Beck. Through his life and work, Paul inspired and motivated multiple generations of the forest products industry. He helped build and lead forestry associations, serving as an effective, passionate, and formidable advocate for the timber industry and working people. Paul was persuasive and funny. He was kind and generous. AFRC, an organization Paul chaired and where he invested so much of his time, is honored to continue his work and vision for our forests and communities in his memory.”
Paul devoted more than three decades to leadership within AFRC, including serving as chair from 2008 to 2011. His steady presence, institutional knowledge, and willingness to engage in tough conversations helped shape the organization during pivotal years for public forest management and rural economies.
His commitment to the industry extended well beyond AFRC. Paul served on the Board of Directors of Douglas Timber Operators from 1995 to 2001 and later as Board Chair from 2002 to 2003, helping guide the organization through an important period for Douglas County’s forest sector.
Throughout his career, Paul worked as a procurement forester and timber manager and later became a leader in log scaling and measurement, ultimately guiding the merger that formed the Mountain Western Log Scaling and Grading Bureau. His work strengthened the technical backbone of the industry and earned widespread respect across the West.
Paul also contributed his time and expertise to numerous forestry organizations and advisory bodies, including those focused on timber purchasers, forest policy, scaling standards, and county-level collaboration. In Oregon, he played a key role on the Elliott State Forest Advisory Committee, helping advance a management framework that paired active timber management with credible scientific research.
In 2023, Douglas Timber Operators recognized Paul with its “Tough Tree” award, honoring his extraordinary commitment to the forest sector, its workforce, and natural resource–dependent communities.
Beyond forestry, Paul was instrumental in building the Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby into a major source of funding for stream restoration and youth education in the Umpqua Basin. Under his leadership and vision, the organization has directed more than one million dollars toward fisheries improvement. In 2025, he received UFED’s Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first person so honored.
Above all, Paul Beck was a mentor, colleague, and friend. He believed deeply in working forests, strong communities, and the responsibility to fight for both.
AFRC extends its heartfelt condolences to Paul’s wife Mariah, his children Colin and Kelsi, and his grandchildren Riley and Bode. We are grateful for Paul’s leadership, his generosity, and his enduring commitment to this industry. His legacy will continue to guide AFRC’s work for years to come.