Richard H. Beck

Richard H. Beck stepped into the light of God’s loving presence at 6:45 PM on Thursday, the 16th of May, 2024, surrounded by his family who loved and adored him, at Deaconess Henderson Hospital. He was 81.

Richard was born in Henderson County on November 17, 1942 to the late Harrison and Mary Calhoun Beck. He was the thirteenth of fifteen children born in the home. As a small child, he joined his siblings in working on the farm which taught him the value of hard work paving the pathway to his knowledge of perseverance, dedication and consistency that would carry him throughout his lifetime.

He served his country as a Military Police in the United States Army.

He was an advocate for many and a strong, devoted Union Man. In 1962, he became a member of the Laborers’ International Union of North America working various construction projects in Indiana and Kentucky. He pridefully has carried his Union Card for 62 years and was the oldest living member of his local. In 1967, he was hand picked to be a Field Representative for LIUNA Local 561 in Evansville, IN. By 1981, he was recruited to serve as a Field Representative for LIUNA Local 1392 in Owensboro, KY and was appointed to the position of Business Manager shortly thereafter. In 1985, he was hired as an International Representative for LIUNA and was promoted to serve as the Assistant Regional Manager of LIUNA’s New Orleans Region, representing eight states. He also served as President/Field Representative of the Kentucky Laborers’ District Council where he was instrumental in the purchase of land in Anderson County and the building of both the present day District Council office and the Kentucky Laborers’ Training Fund. While under his leadership and with the assistance of other leaders at the time, the Kentucky Laborers’ Apprenticeship and Kentucky LECET programs were born. With his direction and a strong and fearless leap of faith, the Laborers’ Health & Welfare Fund went from a third-party administration to its’ current self-administration. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Kentucky’s Health and Welfare, Training and LECET funds. He was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award from LIUNA for writing the first ever Apprentice Standards that were recognized by the United States Department of Labor. His dedication and service to the working men and women he represented, sacrificing countless hours negotiating and fighting for better wages, safer working conditions and valuable health insurance and retirement benefits, proved and demonstrated his deep affection that he had for the labor movement.

His passion to assist those less fortunate or that had fallen on hard times, was a remarkable attribute to his charitable kindness that he had for others. He was a mentor and role model to men in addiction recovery at Western Kentucky Teen Challenge Southeast Region Christian discipleship program in Dixon and proudly served on the Board of Directors and was Co-Director for the Harbor House Christian Men’s Center in Henderson.

His greatest accomplishment was his walk with the Lord. God’s love shined bright through his eyes and spoke measures in all his deeds. His life was a testimony encompassed by boundless compassion, unwavering faith and immeasurable generosity.

To know him, was to love him. His wittiness and jokester magnetism will forever resonate in those who were privileged and blessed to know him. He delighted in telling everyone of his two favorite pies-hot AND cold-which would end with him and his listeners bursting with laughter. He loved the outdoors and could often be found meticulously manicuring his yard or gardening. He was a man of many talents and could stand toe to toe with anyone when it came to cooking and baking, especially if you were looking for a down home country breakfast complete with his famous homemade milk gravy and biscuits. He was an avid fan of UK basketball and football, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of forty years and mother of his children, Donna Kay Beck. Siblings and their spouses Robert (Mary Lou) Beck, Marvin (Laura) Beck, Earl (Margaret) Beck, Kenneth Beck, James Beck, Frances (Owen) Guill, Margaret (Dan) Clouse, Cecelia (John) Sutton, Linda “Helen” (Garnett) Blankenship, Mary “Bea” (Bill) Wilke, Hazel (Frank) Byrd, Lois Marie Beck and Patricia Beck. Mother-in-Law Pauline Skaggs, Father-in-Laws Wilbur Skaggs and Paul Gelep. Sister-in-Laws Carol Swearer and Charlotte Sawyer. Brother-in-Law Lee Skaggs and a host of nieces and nephews.

His earthly absence has created a tremendous void in our lives. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 19 years Constance “Coni” Beck. His children Tim (Mindy) Beck, Kimberly (Billy) Darnell, Samantha (Michael) Griffieth and Jordan (Emily) Gelep. Grandchildren Jake Beck, Chelsea Beck, Emily (Jacob) Husk, Benjamin (Tiffany) Darnell, Kayleigh (Levi) Jackson, Shelbi (Clayton) Ray, Aiden Griffieth, Courtney (Eli) Dennison, and Cora Gelep. Great Grandchildren Layla, Charlie and Oliver Husk, Mac and Bodhi Fuller, and Landry Jackson. Sister Anna Englehardt (Phillip), Mothers-in Law Patricia Schutz and Joane Gelep. Brothers-in Law Larry Swearer and Larry Sawyer. Sisters-in Law Sue Beck, Susan (Mike) Smith and Betsy (Keith) Ray and a multitude of nieces and nephews including greats, great greats and great great greats. Also left to grieve his absence are his cherished pets Daisy and Winston.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same. To imagine a world without him is unfathomable. To live in a world without him is heart-rending. Our comfort is knowing that he is now relishing in the arms of his Savior and witnessing all the glory and beauty of that heavenly paradise.

If he could leave you with some words of wisdom, he would tell you that your light will shine the brightest in the darkest places.

Visitation services will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Tomblinson Funeral Home, Henderson Chapel on Friday, May 24th and from 10:00 AM until service time at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 25th at Christian Life Church, 1515 Roosevelt Street with Pastor Mark Carter officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be his group of guys from the Harbor House Christian Men’s Center; Chris Varble, James Pryor, Chad Ramsey, Glenn Tillerson, Robby Henderson, David Herrell, Tony Norris and James Hunter. Each admired, respected and loved their “Boss”, “Pops”, “Dad” and “Big R”. Honorary Pallbearers will be his most cherished friends Randall Gilbert, Mike Duncan, Russell Billings, Mark Bowling and Mark Henderson.

It was Richard’s wish that his services be casual and that any memorial tributes be made in the form of a contribution to the Harbor House Expansion Fund, 804 Clay Street, Henderson, KY 42420 or PO Box 981, Henderson, KY 42419.