Ernest Beck - Roberson Funeral Home

Ernest Beck

September 7, 1916 - September 2, 2009

Mr. Ernest Wilson (Jack) Beck, 92, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2009 at his Punta Gorda residence.

Jack was born Ernest Wilson Beck, Jr. on September 7, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Ernest W. and Dora A. (nee-Waterman) Beck. Jack and his beloved wife Patricia moved from Chicago to Punta Gorda in 1973, while Jack continued to operate his own heavy Industrial Construction Company until 1990 when he sold his business. Jack graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering in 1939. He was active with the British Government during the early war years, eventually being commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Jack was vitally interested in the affairs of his adopted city of Punta Gorda, serving three years on the Code Enforcement Board followed by four years on the City Council, and three years as its Mayor. Jack was a member of the Western Society of Engineers, his college fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, the Chicago and Isles Yacht Club’s, and Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda.

He is survived by his beloved sons, Thomas Beck of Punta Gorda, and Richard Beck of Bradenton, FL; and one brother Richard (Dick) Beck of Louden, TN. Jack was preceded in death by his lovely wife Patricia on September 2, 2005.

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Mr. Ernest Wilson (Jack) Beck, 92, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2009 at his Punta Gorda residence. Jack was born Ernest Wilson Beck, Jr. on September 7, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Ernest W. and Dora A. (nee-Waterman) Beck. Jack and his beloved wife Patricia moved from Chicago to…

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I was so sorry to hear that my good friend Jack Beck had passed away. The Beck's and Hiles have known each other for over 60 years, a long meaningful friendship starting in the Beverly neighborhood in Chicago. Jack was my baseball coach and Pat my den mother in Cub Scouts. As the years went on I became part of the crew on BEFOUR, their power cruiser, sharing time on Lake Michigan, and one of the Beck's greatest accomplishments a 5,000 mile cruise from Chicago to Punta Gorda via the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and Gulf of Mexico. The following spring up the intercoastal waterway, through New York Harbor, up the Hudson River, across the Erie Barge Canal into Canada and back into the Great Lakes returning to Chicago. Jack the skilled engineer and navigator, planned the cruise, courses and sight seeing stops; always with safety in mind. Jack was so proud of his beloved wife Pat and said, 'Pat was the rudder in my life.' Tom and Rick your Dad was a wonderful person.

Jack was the most outstanding public servant that I had the honor of working with dduring his tenure as Mayor of the City of Punta Gorda. As City Manaager, even after he left office, I oftened upon him for advice on various activities; he was a great friend. I am only sorry that I did I did not spend enough time with him in his last years.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.