Robert Daniel "Dan" Beck

I remember Dan well. RIP.

Dan was one of the few people I remember from High School, he was an honorable man who didn’t move with the crowd. He was also a nice guy.

As someone who overcame stuttering at a young age and faced a number of speaking engagements later in life, I found inspiration in the high school debate lessons from Dan as I lacked confidence to try and join the debate team. I wonder if anyone came prepared for a debate contest with such a stack of index cards holding the research of a thousand minds. He truly exhibited the attributes of a genius. I never imagined Dan waiting for anyone to point the way. Dan could be miles ahead of you...

Dan's last day was Thursday, August 6, 2020. Safe travels into the mystic...

We lived in Uptown Neighborhood from 1995 to 2010. We became acquainted with Dan when the neighborhood association was formed. It was soon apparent that he was one of the notable souls of the neighborhood: artistic, involved, generous and hardworking. He performed great works without making great noise, though he could make noise when it was appropriate.

We knew nothing of his background, but he seems to have applied the discipline of thought and intention in debate, and high...

I am so glad to have known Dan. I met him during a neighborhood garden tour, and he was so welcoming and glad to talk about what he was doing in the garden. He has enriched the community and all of us that he interacted with, and beautified our world with his art. What an inspiring example of a life well lived. Thank you, Dan.

I only met Dan one afternoon a couple of years ago while visiting the exhibit of jade at the Nelson-Atkins. He began explaining about how the pieces were cut, what the different kinds jade were, and so much more. I am sorry I only got to spend that one afternoon with Dan & Chris, but so glad to have continued the friendship via Facebook. Dan was just a great guy!

So sorry to hear of Dan‘s passing, he was bigger than life in many ways. His art, his yard, his paintings, himself. So many details of his earlier life I did not know, and they are unsurprisingly very impressive. Another bright light gone from us.

save travels over the rainbow big jade man Dan,
i only knew you from jade carvings on facebook but you were always your most personal selve