East or west of the Mississippi, Dr. Mike Beczkala’s reputation precedes him.

Beczkala – principal of Parkview Elementary in Columbia and the unassuming maestro of Saint Louis University’s Pep Band – is renowned throughout the greater metropolitan area as a man in tune with the goings on of both education and entertainment.

Still, every director hopes to someday end on a high note and, after more than 20 years, Beczkala’s finale as principal of Parkview and director of SLU’s Pep Band will do just that.

For the past 23 years, Beczkala has led Parkview to levels of excellence on state tests.
Beczkala, who is affectionately referred to throughout Monroe County and across the river as “Dr. B,” is retiring. He will pass the baton at Parkview at the end of June, and has already done so with the Pep Band at SLU.

“None of this has ever been about me,” Beczkala said. “Being a principal is a people business. It’s all been thanks to the students, the staff and the community.”

Brad Landgraf, principal at Eagleview Elementary, will take over at Parkview in addition to his current duties at Eagleview.

While Beczkala may be retiring, he is by no means “tipping his hat,” as he puts it.

“Until then (June 30), my focus is here at Parkview,” he said.

As for the SLU Pep Band, the reins have been given to one of Beczkala’s former students and protégé, Austin Turner, an instructor and clinical coordinator at SLU.

“None of this (the band) would be here without him,” Turner said of Beczkala. “He’s a leader that brings out the best in all of us.”

Again, Beczkala’s reputation is one well-earned and precedes him.

When this reporter first met Dr. B., he was wearing one of his trademark Hawaiian shirts and sitting peacefully in his office at Parkview, listening to classical music piped over the sound system.

“It sets the tone for the building,” Beczkala said.

As do his Hawaiian shirts, which are typically worn during the spring and fall. When asked about them, Beczkala simply shrugs and says, “I’ve just always worn them,” adding that he has enough shirts “to get him through a month.”

On his door, amidst an array of inspirational quotes and student-drawn artwork, is a sign that says “Welcome to the Beach.” For any student seeking solace, Bezckala’s “beach” is the place to visit: the walls are bedecked with pictures of oceanview sunsets; he has boxes of shark teeth, sand dollars and other tropical goodies that he gladly doles out to students.

He graduated from SLU in 1980 with a degree in music education. He took over as principal at Parkview Elementary in 1992.

Beczkala was originally building a home in Columbia in the summer of 1984, after completing his fourth year as a music teacher at both Gibault Catholic High School and Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School. He had planned to return for a fifth year when a band director position opened up in the Columbia School District, and since Beczkala was “going to live here in Columbia, I thought it was a great opportunity to work in my new hometown.”

“I fell in love with the community and the rest is history,” he said.

When asked about plans “after the sunset” as principal of Parkview, Beczkala said there are “a lot of unknowns right now.”

I’m not retired yet,” he said. “I’m just enjoying every minute of what I still have, and it’s a privilege.”

A farewell open house for Dr. B takes place Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Parkview gym. The community is invited.