July 4, 1932 - April 16, 2022
In loving memory ~
Donald Clifford Beck died peacefully on April 16, 2022 at the Salmon Arm General Hospital. Don was born on July 4, 1932 at the Winnipeg General Hospital to Peter and Kathrine Beck and grew up in Charleswood, Manitoba. He is predeceased by his three brothers, Norman, Raymond and Gordon and sister Bernice.
Don married Anne Christine Olason of Winnipeg. Don joined the National Park Service as a Park Warden in 1956 and they lived at the McCreary Warden Station with their five children, Wayne, Patrick, Kimberly, Randy and Wendy.
Don loved being a Park Warden and had many fond memories and stories of that time; riding the park boundaries, catching and arresting poachers, and relying on his trusty horse Lee and his German Shepard, Rex.
Don married Eleanor Robertson (nee LaFreniere) with her two children, Patrick and Rae-Lynne in June 1969. They lived in Wasagaming, Saskatoon and Don's last posting was Chief Warden at Glacier National Park.
In 1974, Don and Eleanor purchased the Skyline Truck Stop and ran it until 1989 when they sold the business and retired to Blind Bay, BC. Here they lived down the road from their daughter Rae-Lynne, whom they both adored and who was an integral part of their lives until their passings.
Don and Eleanor loved their place at Cedar Heights overlooking Copper Island. Later, they had a new house built on the Shuswap Estates Golf Course in 2002. In retirement, they became snow birds buying a place in Lake Havasu, Arizona and journeyed south for 17 winters after which they bought a winter place in Summerland, BC.
Don and Eleanor enjoyed many family celebrations at their various homes. There are many funny pictures of Don and his entourage playing practical jokes on family members throughout the years.
For recreation, Don bought a stunning turquoise and white Harley Davidson that he rode all around the area. When he developed vertigo in his 80s he replaced the Heritage with a custom made Harley trike that he rode until he was 88.
Don loved to be outdoors his entire life. After Eleanor passed away in October 2016, he moved to Salmon Arm and went for his walks everyday around McQuire Lake where the hospital is located. And it was here, with humour to the very end, that he passed on April 16, 2022 at the age of 89 after a wonderful life to join the love of his life in heaven.
Donald Beck is survived by his children Patrick, Wendy, and Kim Beck, and Patrick (Loie) and Rae-lynne Robertson and many grandchildren including Joel (Deidre), and Lindsey Robertson of Calgary, Jessie (Amanda) and Jamie (Courtney) Adam of Revelstoke; Steven, Megan and Samantha Beck and great grandchildren Emalynne, Madeleine, Jonah, Carter, and Ellery Adam of Revelstoke.
Internment will be at Tappen Cemetery. A memorial by family will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to Don's family through his obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Bowers Funeral Service