Episode 204: Robert Beattie, Long Island Architect w Richard Beattie

The Long Island History Project

Robert Beattie was many things: an architect, a designer of iconic public buildings on Long Island, and a decorated World War II veteran. But most importantly, he was the father of today’s guest, Richard Beattie. So we’re celebrating Father’s Day by celebrating the life and work of Robert Beattie.

As an architect, Beattie’s specialty was mid-century modern architecture. Working with clean lines, natural light, and an appreciation of the surrounding landscape, he designed many iconic buildings in our area. If you live in the town of Islip, you’ll know his MacArthur Airport terminal, the core buildings of Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus, and St. Lawrence Church in Sayville.

Richard takes us on a tour of his father’s buildings and details his life. Robert was part of the Greatest Generation, earning a Silver Star as an Alamo Scout in the Philippines. He got his start in architecture with the firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon in New York City. Robert then founded his own firm, Dobecki & Beattie, and embarked on a storied career on Long Island. We discuss the changing architectural landscape of Long Island in the 1960s, the Beattie family’s connections to Oakdale, and Robert’s devotion to being a father and an architect.

Further Research

• Robert Beattie, Architect (Facebook Memorial page)
• Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr
• AIA Long Island
• “Pockets of Long Island Once Went Crazy for Modernism. Why?” (Metropolis)
• Audio Footnotes
  • Episode 192 Jones Beach Theater with Richard Beattie
  • Episode 34 Old Mansions (Oakdale) with George Davies
  • Episode 94 Flying on Long Island with Walter Winnicki and Bob Mott
• Music
  • Intro music: https://homegrownstringband.com/
  • Outro music: Capering by Blue Dot Sessions CC BY-NC 4.0