Neil Robert Beck

Neil Robert Beck, 73, of Dike, died in the early morning hours on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at home from complications of multiple myeloma. He was diagnosed nearly a decade ago, but until November, was the healthiest person with cancer you'd ever meet. He had spent the previous night with his wife and daughter. Neil was born in Waterloo on January 24, 1943, the son of Nels and Gladys Beck. He attended schools in Arlington, Janesville, and a one-room schoolhouse north of Waterloo, before his family moved to Cedar Falls where he graduated from high school in 1960. Neil joined the Air Force in 1961 and married Betty Jones in 1962 at her parents’ home in rural Janesville. Neil was stationed in Greenville, SC (where Linda was born) and Savannah, GA (where Bob was born), before he was honorably discharged from the service in 1965. The young family moved to Cedar Falls where Neil worked for his father’s plastering company before joining John Deere in 1966. Soon, two more children joined the family, Monte and Christine. In 1973, Neil built his family home in Dike with the help of his father and sons. Neil was a proud UAW member, Democrat, and Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed following the Hawkeyes to bowl games, serving as bingo caller at family Christmases, keeping fit by running, and doting on Betty. He retired from John Deere in 2001 and enjoyed traveling with his sweetheart. Neil is survived by Betty, his wife of 54 years; son, Bob (Erika) Beck of Kennesaw, GA; daughter, Christine (Robin) Sturgeon of Gowrie; thirteen grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lewis Beck and David Beck, both of Aplington; one sister, Pat Oldenberg of Vancouver, Washington; a brother-in-law, Bill Jones of Waterloo and Texas; a sister-in-law, Kaye Sells, of Lakeland, Florida; one confused Shih Tzu and three cats wondering why Neil is not petting them right now. Neil was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Beck; a son, Monte Beck; his parents, Nels and Gladys Beck; a sister, Mary Beck; parents-in-law, William and Doris Jones; brothers-in-law, Dan Jones and Jim Jones; and a sister-in-law, Janice Graham. Bob will miss attending Hawkeyes games with his dad, while Christine will miss listening to his long stories. We are comforted to know that he died at home, in the house he built with his own hands, and that no one saw Death coming. Finally, we are most grateful that he is with Monte and Linda, who have been waiting for him for almost ten years. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 13, at Dike United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Fayette. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 12, at Richardson Funeral Home in Cedar Falls.

Neil Robert Beck

January 8, 1943 - January 8, 2017