Beckwith grew up in Bald Eagle, PA and upon high school graduation in 1969, entered Penn State University with a full scholarship from the U.S.A.F. to study Aerospace Engineering. Graduated in 1972 with a B.S. Was a member of both Sigma Tau Gamma and Alpha Psi Omega fraternities.
For his undergraduate thesis Alan went underground in the Milroy Cave system of central Pennsylvania to explain the formation of flutes etched on the limestone corridors by analysis of fluid dynamtics.
Went to U.S.M.C. officer candidate school in Quantico, Virginia and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. December 1972. Was sent to NAS Pensacola, Florida for primary flight training. While there, was except into the University of FL. master's program in Astronautics.
Beckwith has a honorable dicharge from both the U.S.A.F. and the U.S.M.C.
Alan holds membership in the Screen Actors Guild and The American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists. He has done work on stage, television and film.