Quincy, Illinois
Apr 4, 1931 – May 16, 2018 (Age 87)
"Whenever it is determined
that we must depart, it is essential for us to leave with a strong soul and a happy heart." (AWB, 2017) Albert William Beck was born April 4, 1931, in Scranton, Pa., and grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y. Despite his East...Read More
Al Beck was my art professor and inspired me to reach my fullest potential. His stand on class attendance was, "I don't care if your mother died or you are deathly sick, you are either here or you are not here." He shaped my life by teaching me to think outside of the box. God rest his beautiful soul.
Jody Toth
January 24, 2019 | Brownsburg, IN
Mr. Beck was my high school art teacher, but most important to me, he was the teacher who accompanied us on our Senior Class trip to the New York Worlds Fair. We went to the Fair, I guess. But what I remember and treasure most about that trip was our hotel in Greenwich Village. To a kid from Willowick in 1964, Greenwich Village was a whole new world. But Mr.Beck was totally at home there, delighting in introducing us to the kooks, weirdos, and artists who made the Village what it was in the...
Sharyn Hinman
June 16, 2018 | Avon Lake, OH | Student
Al and his wife Carmen were my neighbors, and they were the best. Al would always take time out to show me his Para Pod Museum and his Terrarium For those who were unaware Al was a collector of seeds. Wheat, Corn, other vegetables and flowers. Al belonged to an organization "Heirloom Seeds" and after he collected excellent specimens he would ship them to the Organization's Headquarters in Iceland where they are stored in underground vaults in the event of a catastrophic event to the World....
Michael Nichols
June 03, 2018 | Monroe City, MO
Al Beck's indefagitable spirit is smiling down on us as he has left each of us a creative well-spring, an inspirational love for life that he always embraced. It was a true and special privilege to have him as a mentor for 3 years at Eastlake North High (1960 -63), for the dovetailing relationships he spawned while at Camp Taconic in the Berkshires of western Mass.(1965) and while a student at Kansas City Art Institute (1968).
Wes Bradstreet
May 29, 2018 | Hemet, CA | Friend
Al was the best thing to happen to me at Culver-Stockton College. He was a mentor, friend, professor, enabler, co-conspirator and overall inspiring human being. Know that he was always very proud of his family and he changed our lives as much as he did yours', he will be immensely missed!
Bonnie Creason
May 29, 2018 | Minneapolis, MN | Friend
My mother, Fran Lucie and I so enjoyed having supper with Al and listening to his stories. He always made me think about things in a different light and it was fun to converse with him. He will be missed incredibly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Jill Trenter
May 21, 2018 | Quincy, IL
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He was a man so full of of life and energy.
Terry Scherrer
May 21, 2018 | The Colony, TX
Jeremy, Adam, Zoe-
Where has the time gone. I knew you guys when you were just small infants along with Katrine. Al spoke proudly of your successes.
Al and I first arrived in Quincy in 1968. We shared many art activities & events, life changes, and had great conversations regarding the teaching of art. Our first meeting was at the old Coach House over a cup of coffee.
I had the good fortune to visit with him at Good Samaritan Home the last week in April and took him, via wheelchair,...
Robert Mejer
May 20, 2018 | Quincy, IL
I was Al's staff assistant at C-SC from 1981-1983. We stayed in contact and when he lived in Rocky Hollow, my husband delivered a load of manure each spring for Al to use on his rose garden. When I was still teaching art in Palmyra, he would come and demonstrate making pottery for the students and community at the schools Arts Night. He was kind, funny, and creative. He will be missed. Connie Browning
Connie Browning
May 20, 2018 | Lake St. Louis, MO