Obituary of Malcolm H Beck

Malcolm H Beck, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend, passed away in American Fork, UT on December 17, 2014. He and his twin Duane were born on November 16, 1929 to Elizabeth“Maggie” Orr Beck and Stephen F. Beck in Heber City, UT. One of 13 children, Malc loved family, friends, politics and basketball. Growing up on a farm in Highland UT, his first job was milking cows. The family moved to American Fork during his teenage years (where he continued to milk cows) and he was a star basketball player for American Fork High School, graduating in 1948. As fate would have it, he went to the College of Eastern Utah on a basketball scholarship where he met the love of his life, Sharon Lee Stoddard. Even though she had a boyfriend at the time, Malc’s persistence paid off and they married on June 26, 1955. To this union, Caryn, Randy and Gary were born and became the light of his life. Family was always first and his life was filled with love, fun, joy and constant activity. Never one to turn down a great trip, the family took many vacations throughout the country. He and Sharon even traveled to the old Soviet Union in the 1970s but his favorite place was always Hawaii. He retired after 30 years from the Production Planning Department at U.S. Steel, the last 10 years as a supervisor, where he enjoyed his work but Malc really loved public service. It all started when he became President of the American Fork Jaycees. He went on to be the president of the American Fork Lion’s Club, served 5 years on the City Council, 13 years as Mayor of American Fork and 8 years as a Utah County Commissioner. A supporter of recreation, business, industry, arts, and education his accomplishments are too numerous to mention. Some of those he was most proud of included, organizing the Timpanogos Special Services District to provide an updated and modern sewage system for north Utah County, selling the city owned hospital and ensuring the construction of a new IHC American Fork Hospital where he served as chairman of the board for 24 years, increasing cemetery acreage, emphasizing community beautification and bringing American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Lehi together to build and manage the Tri City Golf Course. He served on numerous committees and boards and was the Chairman of the Wasatch Mental Health Advisory Board, Mountainland Aging Advisory Board, Senior Companion Program, and Utah County Homeless Task Force. A believer in open, transparent government, he didn’t use executive sessions and he encouraged public input in the decision making process. He attended over 3400 meetings but his greatest accomplishments were his children and his six grandchildren, Michael, Ashley, Stacia, Logan, Chad and David. He attended almost every recital, play, basketball and baseball game, soccer and golf match, awards ceremonies, Disneyland trips and graduation for his active children and grandchildren. He and Sharon’s home was full of love and a frequent gathering place for nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving on Heartbreak Ridge and Bloody Ridge. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and two Distinguished Service Awards. He also loved strawberry ice cream, chocolate chip cookies and eclairs. While his loss is deeply felt, he gave us all a lifetime of joyful memories. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, his children Caryn Beck-Dudley, Randy (Charisse), and Gary (AnneMargaret); grandchildren, Michael Dudley, Ashley Beck, Stacia Dudley, Logan Beck, Chad Beck and David Beck; siblings, Duane (Barbara) Beck, Dallen Beck, and Vaughn (Joan) Beck and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, siblings, Roma, Feryl, Vivian, Cora, Maybelle, James, Theron, Ray Lee, Arlen and son-in-law Lynn Dudley. In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions to veterans or Alzheimer charities or the charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 22, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork. Friends may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m. and Monday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial in American Fork Cemetery. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.