Robert Beck

Rev. Robert (Bob) Beck had his spirit set free of vascular dementia and entered heaven on November 16, 2017 from his home at (Ohio Living) Cape May in Wilmington, Ohio.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elizabeth, and siblings, Franklin and Edris. He is survived by his wife Leuola, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage, his 4 children, Dorothy, Donna, Darlene and David, and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister’s two children, a daughter and son, as well as their children and many other relatives, life-long friends and colleagues.

Born in Bell, California September 11, 1926, he graduated from Bell High School in southern California where he was awarded “God and Country Award” from the American Legion, and “Ephebian Society” from Los Angeles City Schools. Bob was awarded Bachelor’s degrees in Theology from Pacific Bible College (Azusa Pacific University), and in Psychology from California State University in Los Angeles, as well as a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was in the International Society of Theta Phi.

He was a member of Wilmington Friends Meeting (church) and was a minister in the Society of Friends Meetings (Quaker Churches) for over 70 years. He began pastoring Friends Churches in California at Inglewood Friends Church and then Montebello Friends Church. Moving to Indiana, he served as the pastor of Hortonville Friends Church and New London Friends Church. In 1973 he accepted the responsibilities of the Executive Secretary (Superintendent) of Wilmington Yearly Meeting which serves the Quaker churches/meetings in southern Ohio and Tennessee. Bob began teaching Sunday School as a teenager and continued to teach for most of his life. He retired from active employment in 1990.

Before and after retirement, Bob was active in civic and religious organizations.  In Wilmington Ohio, he served as a board member and at various times in officer positions in the Kiwanis Club (20 years), the Wilmington Library Board (12 years – during which time the library was expanded and completely remodeled), the Mental Health Recovery Services of Clinton and Warren Counties, Quaker Heights Care Community, as a member of Wilmington’s Civil Service Commission, and also, with his wife, served as an election poll worker (23 years). He was IRS-Certified volunteer through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. He served as a volunteer Treasurer of Wilmington Yearly Meeting, and as a volunteer Chaplain at several hospitals. He served on the General Board of Ohio Council of Churches, the American Friends Service Committee of Dayton Ohio, and was a board member of the Friends United Meeting, an affiliation of many Quaker Meetings and Churches world-wide.

He enjoyed reading, gardening, and traveling. Bob and Leuola have always loved God’s creations. A goal to travel together to all 50 states was accomplished in 2015 by their trip, with a grandson, to Alaska.

Bob and Leuola loved each other deeply. He loved his family. He was a tender, loving listener, a gentle decision maker and an individual who extended the love of God to others he encountered throughout his daily life.

To my husband, our dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law and friend of many: We will strive to live our lives with the servant heart as you have shown us through your life. We love you dearly and will miss you terribly.

A Memorial Service for Bob will be at the Wilmington Friends Church at 66 N. Mulberry Street in Wilmington on Saturday, December 9, 2017 with Pastor Julie Rudd officiating. Visitation will begin at 10 AM until the time of service at 11 AM. All are invited to a luncheon immediately following the service.

If desired, memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be directed to Wilmington Friends Meeting, 66 N. Mulberry St., Wilmington, OH 45177 or Wilmington Yearly Meeting, Pyle Center Box 1194, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington, OH 45177.