Donald Duffield Beck

1927 - 2016

July 24, 1927 ~ March 29, 2016
Donald Duffield Beck, age 88 passed away on Tuesday, March 29 in Murray, Utah.
He was born July 24, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was adopted and raised by his grandparents, Alfred and Sarah Ann Beck.
He is survived by his wife, Ollie Jean Otte Beck, whom he married on June 11, 1954 in Salt Lake City. As a proud father, grandfather and great grandfather, he is also survived by a daughter, Robbie Lynn (Jim McHugh), a son, Donald D. "Moose" Beck, Jr. (MaryLynn), three grandson's, Cal Beck (Deidre), Donnie "Rhino" Beck III, Myles Wilhite and two great grandsons', Calbert and Flynn. He is also survived by many extended family and friends. It will be up to all of us to "carry the torch".
After graduating from East High School, he served two and a half years in the United States Naval Air Force during World War II. He returned to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah.
He was employed 19 years as a crime, police, court and law reporter with the Deseret News. After that he served one term in the Utah Attorney General's office. His next professional tenure was serving as Executive Director of the Utah License Club Association. After this career, he was self-employed with RSVP, a training program for hospitality servers.
He served 25 years as the coach, manager and/or publicist of the Utah Shamrocks, a nationally ranked women's softball team. Along with this he assumed numerous roles including, co-organizing the first Utah State Amateur Sports Association, State Commissioner, Rocky Mountain Regional Amateur Sports Association Vice President and Secretary Treasurer of the National Softball Writers and Broadcasters Association. He helped blaze the trail for all future Utah Women's Athletics. In 1964 he was recruited by the United States Armed Services to teach a series of softball clinics in the Far East, including Japan and Korea. Upon his return to the United States he was commissioned by the Amateur Sports Association to conduct additional clinics in Canada. In 1997 he was honored as the Ladies Sports Coach Of The Century. He was a member of the Utah Softball Hall Of Fame and a member of The American Legion.
He and his wife Jean have been life-long supporters of the University of Utah. Original charter members and current president club members of the Utah Crimson Club and previous to that, members of the Bleacher UTES. They have been strong supporters of junior and collegiate ski racing, junior track and field, high school and little league football in the state of Utah.
As a family we reflect back on many days spent at White Ballpark, a good burger and fries at Snappy Service, family dinners at The Pagoda, days spent at ski races, track and wrestling events and many football, basketball and baseball games. Most importantly he loved his UTAH UTES!
It was his desire to have his organs and body donated to the Donor Body Program For Science, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy at the University of Utah School Of Medicine. His beautiful blue eyes were donated to Utah Lion's Eye Bank, University of Utah, Moran Eye Institute. He just keeps on giving. As he always told us "leave everything you have on the field, and then run off, don't walk!" He had a persistent devotion to life and family.
It was his wish to not have a funeral or burial service.
Please consider a donation in his name to the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
The family gratefully appreciates the many friends for their caring hearts and support.
He will be deeply missed and loved by all, rest in peace. GO UTES!