Richard J. Beck

Richard Beck age 62, passed away June 1, 2012 at West Branch Regional Medical Center. He was a life-long resident of West Branch, Michigan and farmed since the age of 8. He and his family own Gallagher Centennial Dairy Farm (1906). He loved his Christian faith, his wife Roberta of 41 years, his children and grandchildren. Richard enjoyed going to rabbit camp in the Upper Peninsula, was an avid hockey fan and enjoyed snowmobiling and four wheeling. He served 32 years on the Ogemaw County Soil Conservation Board, serving many years as the chairman of the board. In 1977 he was runner up for outstanding young farmer of the Michigan Farm Bureau, and in 1983 he was the outstanding young farmer for the Michigan Jaycees. Richard was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association and the Knights of Columbus. Richard is survived by his wife, Roberta Susan (Reid) Beck, five children, Mark & Kendra Beck, Chad & Lori Beck, Laurie Beck and Katie & Joe Weber all of West Branch and Melinda Grace & Loren Caverly of Whittemore, grandchildren Alexandrea, Cole, Zachary, Calvin, Isaac, Ailie, Lane, Landen, Laken, Reid, Courtney, Conrad and Kristy, and his bassett hound, Abby. Also surviving are his brothers Don & Linda Beck of Ewen, Bill & Mary Ann Beck of West Branch, Mark & Mary Beth Reid of Standish, Garry & Cynthia Owen of Alger, Jim & Elizabeth Morris of West Branch, Frank & Alida Reid of Omer, Joe & Margaret Warr of Au Gres and Wally Crawford of West Branch and his mother-in-law, Mary Lou Reid of Standish. He was preceded in death by his parents Barney & Ruth (Gallagher) Beck, his father-in-law Robert Reid and his sister Maxine Crawford. Visitation for will begin Monday, June 4, 2012 from 2-9 PM at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 Richard will lie in state at the Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church from 10:00 AM until the time of his funeral at 11:00 AM. Pastor Robert Mohr and Father Patrick Maher will officiate with burial following at the St. Joseph Cemetery in West Branch.