Doddridge County Roots

A West Virginia Genealogy

Richard Henry BECK

Richard Henry BECK

Male 1936 - 2025  (88 years)

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  • Name Richard Henry BECK 
    Born 10 Dec 1936  Berwyn, Cook Co, IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    • Paternal great-grandfather: Joseph Fischel, buried in New York.
    Gender Male 
    Education Michigan College of Mining & Technology (1958, Mechanical Engineering)  [3
    Education Stambaugh High School in Michigan (1954) 
    Occupation earth science & physics instructor at Salem College 
    Occupation early 1960s  [3
    geophysicist, U.S. Coast & Geodesic Survey, Washington, DC 
    • Traveled worldwide installing seismographs.
    Occupation science teacher at Doddridge County High School 
    • Later worked as substitute teacher at all grade levels, for a total of 27 years service for Doddridge County Schools. He influenced countless students over the years and is often best remembered for leading students on camping trips in the mountains of West Virginia during his time as a traveling science teacher.
    Residence Crystal Lake (West Union), Doddridge Co, WV Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Residence 2003, 2005  New Milton, Doddridge Co, WV Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Died 16 Feb 2025  Bridgeport, Harrison Co, WV Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Richard Henry Beck passed peacefully Sunday, February 16, 2025 at United Hospital Center. He was born in Berwyn, Illinois to Leo and Elsie (Wickman) Beck. Richard was a 1954 graduate of Stambaugh MI High School and a 1958 graduate of Michigan Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering.

      Richard moved to Washington, D.C. where his work for the US Coast & Geodetic Survey led him around the world installing seismographs. It also led him to Dorothy Pigott whom he married September 23, 1961. After moving to New Milton, WV to raise their family, Richard worked for P & M Oil Company before embarking on a new career in teaching earth science and physics, including time at Salem College and 27 years for Doddridge County schools. Richard influenced countless students over the years and is often best remembered for leading students on camping trips in the mountains of West Virginia during his time as a traveling science teacher.

      Following his retirement, Richard married Ruth Carroll and enjoyed living in Conway, South Carolina. He enjoyed traveling, collecting coins, volunteering with the American Red Cross and researching his family genealogy.

      In recent years, Richard made his home with his loving daughter, Jan, and her cats, at Crystal Lake.

      For over 50 years, Richard was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Clarksburg.

      Richard is survived by four children, a foster daughter, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

      In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by infant daughter, Erin, as well as his second wife Ruth.

      Richard’s family would like to recognize Brenda Shaver for her care and companionship during his illness.

      Family and friends will be received at the Davis Funeral Home for visitation, Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 3:00PM until the time of the funeral service at 7:00PM with Bishop Jackson Hamrick officiating.

      Online condolences can be made at www.davisfuneralhomewv.com. Davis Funeral Home is honored to serve the Beck family.
      https://www.davisfuneralhomewv.com/obituary/Richard-Beck
    Person ID I19311  Doddridge County Roots
    Last Modified 18 Feb 2025 

    Father Leopold "Leo" BECK,   b. 4 Sep 1899, Chicago, Cook Co, IL Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 May 1953, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co, WI Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 53 years) 
    Mother Elsie Aline WICKMAN,   b. 22 Feb 1912, Stambaugh, Iron Co, MI Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Dec 1939, Berwyn, Cook Co, IL Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 27 years) 
    Family ID F9250  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Dorothy Alice PIGOTT,   b. 31 Aug 1939 
    Married 23 Sep 1961  Alexandria, VA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Children 
     1. Living
     2. Living
     3. Erin Aileen BECK,   b. 6 Aug 1969,   d. 10 Jan 1970, Monongalia Co, WV Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
    +4. Living
    Family ID F7086  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    19311_RichardHenryBeck_DoddridgeCoHS-Faculty_1972.jpg
    19311_RichardHenryBeck_DoddridgeCoHS-Faculty_1972.jpg

  • Sources 
    1. [S2490] U.S. Public Records Index, Vol 1, (Ancestry.com).

    2. [S1616] Immediate family.

    3. [S1579] Newspaper wedding announcement.

    4. [S1811] Newspaper birth announcement of granddaughter.

    5. [S1579] Newspaper wedding announcement, West Union Herald, Oct 19 1961.