Raymond W. Van Beck

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I lived close to the farm in the mid '60's and picked onions at age 14 for a few summers. I got to know your Father and learned a valuable lesson - work ethic - The lessons learned have been part of my constitution my whole life. I still have my work diary showing the number of bunches of onions picked per day ! I've been a Banker for 38 yrs. God Bless

My thoughts and condolences are with the family. I loved the roadside stand on College and Pennsylvania and even when I moved from the area - I still went back to that stand. I sure miss it still.

Our sincere condolences to the Van Beck family. A few of us worked as kids on the farm bunching onions. I enjoyed Saturday visits to the farm with grandpa to see what projects Ray needed help with. He was a man of great integrity, and a very strong work ethic, which he instilled in many people over the years. He was always kind to our family, and was a very dear friend to grandpa. Family, friends, as well as the community, have lost a very special person - a hard working, thoughtful and considerate man. To those of us who had the opportunity to know him, we are a better person for it. Our deepest sympathy to his family.

Hi Mary,
You have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your dad. I went to St, Mary's Academy with you. For years I shopped at Van Becks with my parents and then with my family. Your dad always had a kind word for everyone.
Sharon (Ziemnicki) Paxton

Gerry, Amie and Matthew,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

I worked for Ray for 4 1/2 years then drove truck at night for him delivering vegetables to stores. I now have my own business and try to use the work ethic and morals I learned working for him

MARY,, VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS..I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH YOU AT ST. STEPHEN'S WITH SISTER BERNARD I HAVE YOUR PRETTY FACE IN MIND NOW..BROTHER LOUIS WAS WITH MARGRETT IN THE BACK BARRICKS WITH SISTER SIREN..

Thank you for all of your support of Saint Thomas More over the years. I hope Ray is looking down on us now and will continue to bless STM from above. The Akert Family

I remember going to his vegetable stand with my parents, Carl and Sylvia Brust, when I was a young girl. I will always remember his terrific smile and pleasant demeanor. Condolences to his entire family.

I'm very sorry for your loss. Your Dad and my father were playmates as young boys. We lived beside you for years on Layton Ave.

Gerri,Mary,Margie,Thinking of you & the family with special prayers. It was good seeing your Dad in church when I was in town.. Blessings,JeanJoy Pasley Jakubiak

Deepest sympathy to all of Ray's family. He will always be remembered for being such a kind, thoughtful, caring person. It was always a real pleasure to see him and his crew years ago at the Port of Hamburg, and also seeing the pleasure that he enjoyed in watching the children yearly look for their pumpkins for Halloween on his farm. God bless his soul.
Lee Robbins

Margie and family,
Prayers for his soul and all of you.
Carole & David DeLong

My fond memory of Ray was his trip to Naples with Mike a few winters ago. His one request was to drive out through southern Florida's farm lands and to stop at the Agricultural Center and a local truck farm. It was delightful to see Florida through Ray's eyes and hear his commentary.

God Bless Ray , what a great man. I enjoyed visiting the farm with my late husband. We would buy our cabbage for sauerkraut from the farm.

Mary, Margie, Gerri - my sincere sympathy. I have memories that go back a long way. As long as I lived in Milwaukee, I went every Mother's Day weekend to by plants for my cousin and shopped every summer at the stand. He was special. joani

Uncle Ray was the family icon for gentleness and hard work. I'll always remember the summer family picnics at the farm. Mary, Gerri, Margie you are all in our prayers.

I worked on the Van Beck farm, as a child from 1963 to 1967. Ray was a kind man with a very strong work ethic. I have very fond memories of him and the summers I spent there. May your fond memories of him carry you through this difficult time. Vicki (Weber)Gorzalski

I worked for Ray the last 5 years he ran the farm, and he was a wonderful man to work for. He was always so good to me, and took such pride in his work. My condolences to his friends and family. -Clarice Ellison (formerly Golos)