Robert Eugene Beck

Robert Eugene Beck

May 25, 1928-May 10, 2022

Robert Eugene Beck, a former Moline resident, passed peacefully in Bozeman, MT surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Eileen (Jinx), and children Sancy Beck Hilgenberg, Bridget Beck (m. Douglas McCarty), Brian Beck, and Rebecca Vande Voorde. He is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents John Martin and Agnus Pearson Beck and sisters, Dorothy Roberts and Audrey Lilja.

Bob attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL and was a member of Phi Omega Phi Fraternity. At "Augie" he met the love of his life, Eileen. They were married for 70 years. Bob subsequently graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in Architecture. For the next 30 years he worked for John Deere & Co in Moline until his retirement.

During his time in Moline, Bob served as a president of the Rock Island Exchange Club. He was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline, IL where he served as a church council member, and was involved in the renovation of the church interior. A highlight for his family was when Bob was sent by Deere & Co to Europe to live in Orleans, France and Heidelberg, Germany. There they had many interesting travel adventures.

Bob loved jazz and big band music, sketching and oil painting, and acquired a taste for traveling at a young age by accompanying his great-aunt, artist Jane Peterson, on her travels. During his retirement he enjoyed playing golf, tennis, bike riding, swimming, and tending to his home landscaping. Bob and Eileen left Moline in 2004 to live in Corvallis, OR and Bozeman, MT to be closer to family, and to experience the many beautiful things and places the Northwest has to offer.

Bob was a quiet and humble man with a lot of integrity and love for his wife and family. He was "the real deal" as described by his friends. He will be missed.