As some of you know my Grandpa Beck passed away early Monday morning. He got sick pretty fast and his death came kind of suddenly. In the end we all knew it was a blessing, but somehow that doesn't seem to make it any easier.
It has been a reflective few days for me. Thinking about grandpa and all the ways he touched my life, and touched the lives of all of us. He had a quiet way about him, and he had a soft spot for Riley. He would humor him by taking out his hearing aids and pretend to put them in Riley's ears. He never let us leave the house without telling us what a "Genius" Riley was and that he wished he could be around in 20 years to see what he would become. Riley has been lucky enough to spend his Wednesdays there since he was 2 months old and I know he will miss having grandpa there.
Grandpa was the first person to attempt to teach me how to drive a stick. He took me up the road behind the house at the ranch and let me drive around the flats and back down the hill. To this day I still can't drive a stick but Grandpa was patient and I'm sure no matter how many times I stalled that truck, he'd just calmly tell me to push the clutch to the floor and try again.
There are many things I will miss about grandpa. I feel lucky to have known him and grateful for the things he taught me and for the love he showed to my family. We love you Papa Richard.
Richard Vernon Beck, age 75 of Springville, passed away Monday, March 30, 2009 at Mountain View Hospital. He was born September 3, 1933 in Springville, Utah to Wayne A and Rachel Marsh Beck. He married Colene Child December 7, 1956 in Springville, Utah and later solemnized in the Manti Temple.
Richard was raised and attended schools in Springville and attended one year of college on an art scholarship. He worked as an operating engineer for the local construction companies, W. W. Clyde, Thorns, Gibbons & Reed and Granite Construction.
Richard enjoyed spending time with his family in Wanrhodes; whether fixing fence, riding horses, snowmobiling, or turkey hunting. He never outgrew his love of riding horses and riding his four-wheeler.
Richard had many friends. He had many memorable memories as an honorary guest member of the Rotary Club. His favorite place to sit and visit with friends was at the local coffee shop. The family extends a special thanks to David, Mike and the guys at M&R.
He had many dogs during his life, but he was very fond of his dog Bo, that passed away last year.
He is survived by his brothers Alton Beck, Tom Beck and Milton Beck. He is preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Beck, a sister, Flora Dudley, his parents and father and mother in-law, Hardy and Norma Child. He is also survived by his wife, Colene; daughter, Teri (Bill) North; son, Tad (Tammy) Beck; and grandchildren: Amy (Mat) Taylor, Justin (Mandi) North, Chelsey Beck, Colby North, Zack Beck and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the LDS Chapel at 55 North Main Street in Springville. There will be a viewing held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville and Friday at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
