John Melvin Youngbeck

Sutton, ND

1933-34, 765, Tigerville, F-15,

John Melvin Youngbeck, 79, Minot, died Monday, May 3, 1993, in his home, of natural causes. His career in education covered about 40 years, most of them as an administrator in the Minot Public Schools. He also served on the Minot Park Board.

He was born in rural Sutton, December 2, 1913, to John M. and Sophia Youngbeck. Raised and educated in the Sutton area, he graduated from Mayville State University. He began his career in education in Southam as a teacher. He then was superintendent for two years in Brantford before coming to Minot in 1941. During World War II, he served in the Coast Guard as a chief petty officer. He returned to Minot following his discharge from military service.

He married Elaine Valker, August 25, 1950, in Minot where they since have lived. He first taught in the old Minot Junior High School. He subsequently earned a master's degree in education and administration from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and then became involved in school administration as a principal at Sunnyside Elementary School in Minot. He remained with Sunnyside for 16 years before being named principal of Longfellow Elementary School in Minot. He held that post for 13 years before retiring in 1980. He and several colleagues formed Northwest Spraying Service in the 1950s.

He was a member and former president of the North Dakota Elementary School Principals' Association and also was North Dakota's representative to the national principals' group. He was a member of various education panels and edited and wrote for education journals. He was a member and president of the Minot School Employees Federal Credit Union. He also held memberships in the Minot, North Dakota, and National Education associations.

He was elected to the Minot Park Board in 1976. He served one six-year term, and in 1983, was appointed to fill an unexpired term until the next election. He served a year as park board president and also chaired the board's Forestry Advisory Committee. He later was honored for his park board work.

He was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Minot. He was a former member of St. Leo's Catholic Church in Minot. He was a member and former president of the Minot Colin Brown Y's Men's Club and later was district governor for the northwest district of Y's Men's International. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Eagles and Elks lodges, all in Minot.

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