Wesley Beck

1919 - 2013

Wesley F. Beck "Duke"

Wesley Beck died of pneumonia on June 25th, 2013. His 93 years were focused on family, the community, Naval service defending his country and following sports. He was a jovial, congenial gentleman who enjoyed talking to anyone, particularly about sports.

Duke was a devoted husband for 65 years to the late Imelda "Millie" who preceded him in death just months ago. He was the loving father of Constance (Gary) Wald, Ted (Diana) Beck and the late Terrance Beck. He was the proud grandfather to Chris, Will, Kat, Laura, Jennifer and Derek and great grandfather to Daphne and Clayton. He was the son of the late Emma and Nicholas Beck and was preceded in death by brother, Daniel.

Duke was raised in Dubuque, Iowa, attended the University of Iowa and watched virtually every Iowa football game, though he would also root for Notre Dame and the Badgers as long as they weren't playing the Hawkeyes.

Duke had a long and successful stint in the Navy: He enlisted in 1936; served on the battleship U.S.S Utah in Hawaii; survived numerous North Atlantic convoys between England and Newfoundland and a tour of duty in the South Pacific. He was in the Philippines at the end of WWII. He was discharged as Lieutenant Commander.

He had an equally successful banking career where he was President of the First National Bank of Menasha, EVP of the First National Bank of Wausau, President and Co-founder of River Valley Bank of Rothschild and President of the Bank of Ft. Atkinson.

Duke enjoyed giving back to the community and was proud of his civic contributions. He was a two-time President and Board Member of North Shore Golf Club, President of the local United Way, Vice President and Treasurer of Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church of Neenah, and Vice President, Treasurer of Goodwill. His dedication and hard work were respected and deeply appreciated. He will be missed.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 28, 2013, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division St., Neenah, with Fr. Michael Ingold officiating. Inurnment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. Visitation was at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Full Military honors were presented by members of the U.S. Navy and the Neenah Menasha Veterans Honor Guard, immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Neenah.