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Richard E. Beckman
Surrounded by his family, Richard Edward Beckman of Highland passed away quietly on August 28th at the age of seventy-seven at Springfield Illinois Memorial Medical Center.
Born April 6, 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri the son of William and Lillian (Krumm) Beckman. “Dick” Beckman is survived by his wife of 56 years, Del Murray Beckman.
As a young man, Dick was deeply involved in the Boy Scouts, music and competitive rifle shooting. He became an Eagle Scout before he graduated from St Louis’ Cleveland High School in 1949. Dick Beckman and Del Murray were married on June 6th 1952 while he was attending the University of Missouri. While there, he played music and earned a bachelors of science in business before entering the US Army. During his years of service with the Army, he garnered a coveted position on the US Army Shooting team and served in both the active and reserve forces from 1954 to 1969.
In 1968, he relocated his family to Highland, Illinois to work for Houseman Supply and he later became a co-owner of Houseman Supply with the deceased Leroy Dubach. From college to his last days, Dick played alto saxophone and other instruments with various groups and bands including Bill Lemon, the Jack Engler Orchestra and the bands of Gary Dammer.
As a long-standing member of Rotary International he served as Highland’s International exchange coordinator and hosted numerous exchange students from Australia, England, Ecuador, Germany, Switzerland, and New Zealand. Dick Beckman was also a trustee/member of Highland Southern Baptist Church and took active part in the construction of the present building where he served as deacon.
Dick Beckman had a variety of interests and hobbies. As a competitive rifle shooter he was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Highland Pistol and Rifle Club. He enjoyed scuba diving and achieved his goal of diving the Great Barrier Reef. An avid traveler, he and his wife visited all 50 states and traveled throughout the US with the Roadtrek RV Club. After retirement he enjoyed spending time with his dog Pupper and playing music with old friends Lou Vigano, Fred Delgadio, Roland Grimm, Don Shone and the late Joe Shles on Wednesday afternoons.
He is survived by Del Beckman, of Highland and a large, loving family. As the father of Jan Hughes, Nancy Kyrouac, Lisa Trout, Shari Randall, and William Beckman, he was always proud of his twenty-six grandchildren: Emily, Sasha, Katya, Stephanie, Joel, Julia, Andrew, Timothy, Nathan Hughes of Victorville, California and Sonya Wijnhamer of California; Peter, Joseph, Lily and Hope Kyrouac of Ashland Illinois; Sara, Nathan, Alex and Hanna Trout of Highland, Illinois; Max Beckman, Vanessa and Allison Randall of Springfield, Illinois; Web, Adelaide, Henry and Evelyn Beckman of Hartselle, Alabama; and David Beckman of Vancouver Canada. He also cherished his two great grandsons Landen and Chase Wijnhamer of California. Dick Beckman was also close to his four sons-in-law Steve Hughes, Greg Kyrouac, David Trout, Marc Randall as well as his daughter-in-law, Adeliza Beckman. Beloved brother and sister in-law Eugene W. (Billie) Beckman of Lahabra Heights, California.
He was predeceased by his parents and beloved Mother-in-law Evalyn Murray.Service InformationArrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, Ill.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, September 1, 2008, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL, and from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL., with Rev. Barry Harris, Highland, IL, officiating.
Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo.
Memorial contributions may be made to Digging Wells for Clean Water % Rotary International.
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