Gordon Arthur Beck

Gordon Arthur Beck was born March 21, 1940, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The son of a Lutheran pastor, he grew up with three brothers in the small town of Henning in Ottertail County. While Gordon left Minnesota, first to study to become a pastor himself at Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, IN, at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, and then through a lifetime of ministry that spread from Africa to San Diego, CA, his love of Minnesota never waned-from its lakes to its sports teams.

Gordon met Sally Johnson, his wife of 57 years, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and the couple have been blessed with three children and five delightful grandchildren, of whom he was very proud. God worked through Gordon to spread his word in parishes and schools in Ohio, New York, California, Missouri, Nigeria, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Teaching at a Lutheran high school in the Bronx and later at a Lutheran Seminary in Obat Idim, Nigeria, fostered in Gordon a commitment to reach across cultural and racial lines in his work. An incorrigible interest in people and their customs made him a citizen of the world. There are very few people Gordon encountered with whom he couldn't strike up a conversation.

And while studying for an STM at Concordia Seminary, he grew fond of the teachings of Saints Augustine and Ambrose-who used classical philosophical arguments in their writings. Gordon encouraged others to look to these leaders to understand the Incarnation of the Word.

Gordon knew Scripture like the back of his hand. His favorite psalm was Psalm 139, that beautiful song of praise to his omnipotent Lord: "If I go to the heavens, you are there...If I rise on the wings of the dawn, / if I settle on the far side of the sea, / even there your hand will guide me."

After a lifetime of generosity, complexity, adventure, and creativity-reaching many people-Gordon died March 28, 2024, and is now in heaven with his Lord. He was a member of King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Children Andrew, married to Annie Niermann, who are parents of Elizabeth and Aaron; Gretchen, married to Phil Eskilson, father of Megan and Anni; and Sarah, mother of Carl.