* Warren A. Beck; Fullerton History Professor

Warren A. Beck, 72, history professor at Cal State Fullerton for three decades and author of 10 historically oriented books. Known as a superior lecturer who emphasized classroom preparation, Beck earned awards as a distinguished teacher in 1967, as Fullerton’s distinguished social sciences faculty member in 1987 and as its university-wide outstanding professor in 1989. A native of Minneapolis, he received degrees from Wayne State and Ohio State universities. At the time of his death, Beck was working on several books, including a small volume about his childhood, entitled “Christmas Today.” He planned to use the book, which his sons now intend to publish, as a Christmas card. In Santa Ana on Tuesday of cancer.