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1943 - 2015

BORN

1943

DIED

2015

Konrad Beck Obituary

Konrad Beck
Sept. 26, 1943 - Jan. 23, 2015
Resident of San Jose
Masters of Addiction & Licensed Educational Psychologist
Konrad died a loving friend of Bill Wilson and Nancy Huff, with a tan and his to-do list completed. His love for Huff was undying. Konrad died with dignity, at home and surrounded by love. His passing has left a huge hole in his community of family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 29, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Konrad Beck

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

32 Entries

Nancy Ross (Reis)

January 23, 2021

Probably there was no more loyal friend than Konrad. If you were his friend, he made sure that you knew that. The legions of those in recovery that he mentored, the love he had for his "Huff" and the friends he shared time with all received the benefit of his unique and caring ways. He always made sure those he cared about knew how important they were to him. I feel so lucky to have been his friend, and will miss him as long as I live.

Kimberly

January 23, 2020

Capt K I love you and miss you being around to remind me to get back on track.... to meet you for dinner Thursday night at Sams bbq and possibly hook up to go fishing!!!! Love you with all my heart ♥.... forever in my thoughts n prayers and heart!!! I love you!!!

March 5, 2019

Oh Konrad: I just learned of your death. So many memories--our trip to Mexico together. I still have all the letters that you wrote to me. I miss you. MM

Patrice Mahoney

March 9, 2015

I have a great life today due in part to Konrad. So many memories, all of them amazing. Konrad and Nancy became my family and support for many years while living in San Jose. Sending prayers to Nancy and the San Jose Recovery Community. Konrad was dedicated to helping others do life one day at a time.

Kyle

March 1, 2015

Konrad, there are so many things that I feel like you were one of few who understood. And it seems like every day something comes up that makes me wish we could talk. But we can't. And I have realized part of what makes it so hard for me to deal with you being gone is that I will never know anyone like you again. But this also makes me grateful because I am so fortunate to have known you since the day I can remember, and to have so many memories to look back on. I cannot even begin to describe the influence you have had on who I am and who I want to be. Thank you for always being there to guide me. You and Nancy have been and always will be my idols. And thank you for the truck. I will take good care of it, just like you showed me. I love you Konrad. And I miss you.

Mark Harbaugh

February 27, 2015

Konrad, it's taken sometime too come to grips with your passing. You ment so much to me, I love you and miss you dearly. You and Nancy welcomed me into your lives, into a very treasured relationship. Konrad you filled a huge void in my life, a fatherly figure I never had, friendship unlike any other. You touched so many lives and people are better off having had you for the time we did. Your nonjudgmental approach to things was a rare quality, as my mentor you showed and taught me so much. Nancy and I will miss teasing you, the deep conversation and helping you get through that never ending " to do list " I believe you will still check in from time to time, as only Konrad could. I thought I could get through this without tears but couldn't, they are tears of memorable moments. I will miss you my friend.

JODY MAGGETTI

February 24, 2015

Just letting you know how much ilove you and miss you . We , managed to laugh,you never ever judged me and i love you for that.
Don"t worry about Nancy i will always love her and keep her close.
Rest my brother your"e one oof the special ones

Ariana Gebauer

February 9, 2015

Konrad continues to make me laugh every time I think of him--which is often. I remember thinking I had never met anyone quite like Konrad the first time I met him--sharing seafood over the yacht harbor, and I know now I will never meet someone quite like him again. He was honest and sincere, loyal and deeply caring. I can see, and appreciate sincerely, all the ways he guided and taught my partner, his nephew. How lucky am I that I got to know someone as rare, as kind, as funny, as generous, and original as Konrad, and I also am partnered to the nephew who is part of his legacy. Konrad will always be a part of my life, in my memories and in my heart, and in his nephew--who he treated like a son. I love and miss you deeply Konrad.

Corky Hall

February 8, 2015

Thank you for all you did for us At Weller. Your words of encouragement helped me out more that you'll ever know.
Rest your oars Konrad and God's speed.

Kris & Ursula Hamner

February 7, 2015

Note for Konrad - You & Nancy made us feel welcome from the first time we met you in 2001. Ever since, you were a friendly face we could count on seeing. Countless times we witnessed you show sincere interest in us & others' even though your life was so full. Thank you for your love, service to people, and most of all your example. Love, Kris & Ursula

Bob Churchill

February 7, 2015

Konrad, you were truly a kind and gentle person and I was fortunate to have gotten to know you at the Sunday men's gathering. It was a lot of fun and you were one of the good guys. An inspiration to many suffering and recovering from our disease. I read the obituary in the Mercury News and just sort of chuckled. Only Konrad would have a "to do list" for end of life. Thanks for all you were to everyone. It was a life well lived.

Seth Kepner

February 6, 2015

Huge thank you to Konrad for his help to our students at Weller Elementary School in Milpitas. You will be missed.

Uncle Konrad and Kyle

February 5, 2015

Konrad was an incredible man -- compassionate, generous, smart, steadfast and deeply committed to finding his own serenity and to supporting others on their quest. I love and appreciate many things about Konrad, but the top two were his truly undying love of my sister, Nancy Huff, and his amazing presence in the lives of his nephews, Ben and Kyle. I love this photo of Konrad giving Kyle his first watch -- to me it shows his generosity, not just on the material level (though that was great) -- but on the deeper level of sharing himself and his passions. He taught his nephews how to tell time, sail, fish, jet ski, work on cars, shoot, appreciate sushi and be caring, strong and honorable men. Konrad was always there for my sons, and for me as well when I went through a very dark time. Konrad will be deeply missed; his memory will be a blessing.

June 1967, camping on Mt. Tam after the Magic Mountain & Fantasy Fair Festival.

February 5, 2015

San Jose State, Spring 1966, my first encounter with Konrad, my life would never be the same. He took me to my first foreign film, played me my first jazz record, we took a wild ride as many of us did. Weekends at the Fillmore or Winterland, adventures galore. We stayed in touch over all the years, long periods of time with no contact and then one of us would reach out to the other to check in (Konrad's words), make sure the other was okay. He asked me one simple question that propelled me towards my own recovery. He wrote a moving recommendation for me when I was applying to graduate school, a gift I won't forget. 49 years of connection, Konrad is part of the fabric of my being. Adios to my dear friend.

1967, camping on Mt. Tam after the Magic Mountain & Fantasy Fair Festival.

Dana Leigh

February 5, 2015

Konrad was a safe emotional harbor for me when we worked in MUSD. He holds a very special sacred place in my heart . We were best friends for 25 plus years. He always " checked in" to support and share. His presence will forever be with me. Suzanne Cooke

David Sorensen

February 4, 2015

The chair last night spoke of the fellowship. Konrad went out of his way, in the last few months of his life, to bring me in and help make me part of that fellowship. Thank you for looking out for me.

Konrad and Lola 2014

Stacey & Eddy Rader

February 4, 2015

Over 24 years ago, we bonded over a dark sense of humor and a deep love for living creatures. Konrad had the ability to make you feel comfortable being yourself and like the you were most interesting person in the room. He and Nancy took our Lucy and Lola into their home and loved them as if they were their own. They loved and made a home for many cats that others would have thought were too much trouble. Konrad's compassion and kindness for all creatures that struggle was what made him an inspiration and safe place.

We love Konrad and we will miss him greatly. We take solace in knowing that what he gave us and our community will always be with us.

Thank you, Konrad, for letting us be a part of your family and for always being unapologetically you.

Rena Zahorsky

February 4, 2015

I send you love and peace in your passing. I will always remember you.

Lia Anisgard

February 4, 2015

Konrad was a good man. He was generous, kind, smart, funny, direct, dedicated, principled and loyal; an all around good human being. And he was my friend for close to 25 years and I will miss him. Condolences to Nancy and to his other close friends and family.

Thor Parker

February 4, 2015

It's a program of attraction rather than promotion. When I came to a fork in the road of my life, Konrad was there attracting me towards the path to recovery. I am still on that road. Thank you Konrad for that and our ongoing friendship.

Kimberly Ferguson

February 3, 2015

Dad you will be so missed! I cant even say in words what you have done for me and mean to me. I sit in meetings now and miss you so much! I know you will always be there in the rooms, in my heart, and always close by in spirit!!! I love you and miss you so!!!! Captain K never forgotten!!!!!!!!

Nancy Ross

February 3, 2015

A world without Konrad seems a very sad place. He was one of the most generous men I've ever known; with a combination of caring and a matter-of-fact philosophy that defined who he was in the world. Along with his "Huff" he helped so many people in the recovery community, he never stopped mentoring so many in psychology, and always, always he was and will be the best friend I've ever had. I will miss him and remember his calm, comforting presence forever.

Nancy Huff

February 3, 2015

It's hard for me to believe my partner and best friend for 27 years is no longer here. What a huge hole this has left in my life. Every time I am near the ocean I will think of him. Lots of great memories!

February 2, 2015

Nancy, I'm so sorry to hear this. Susan had told me about his lack of health. Lois Helmbold

Uncle Konrad with Kyle and Ben

Susan Edwards

February 2, 2015

Joseph Noonan

February 1, 2015

We will miss Konrad, we will always remember him. My sympathy to Nancy and other family members.

Jason Hauck

January 31, 2015

Konrad invited me into his circle, a circle of principled men on a path of self-discovery and storytelling. For that gift I will always be grateful. He took spiritual principles into the world and did his best to apply them in all areas of his life. As one person said recently, "he invested in the individual," I think that sums him up perfectly. He asked insightful questions that, if nothing else, helped me to understand where my internal discomforts were. He and Nancy welcomed me into their home each week for years and gave me a safe foundation that I was always welcome to rejoin.
He touched people in many ways that I believe will last the rest of our lives.
He was my best man, and indeed one of the finest men I've known. He was my friend, he was a mentor, and I love him.
Captain K., I'll do my best to always get the lights *just right* for you.

January 30, 2015

Konrad was my fishing partner for many years. He was one of the most generous and caring people I have ever known. My association with him made me a far better person. I was inspired by his genuine and relentless support for those in need. He touched so many people's lives in good ways that I was honored to be his friend. The world has lost a rare gift. You will always be with me on the waters and I won't "rag on you" to set the hook anymore. Promise.

Angela Sanchez

January 30, 2015

Konrad was a wonderful supervisor and colleague to me. He taught me so much about how to be a good school psychologist. I loved his humor and his no nonsense attitude. He watched out for me as an intern and a fellow psychologist. He was like a father figure to me at work that I could always go to for advice. He has left a lasting impression on me. He will not be forgotten.

January 29, 2015

So sorry to hear of Konrads passing. I will miss him every Sunday morning. His straight forward, matter of fact recovery was always a refreshing reminder of the simplicity of the program.