Donald Eugene Beck, age 76, went to his eternal home on November 1, 2020, at the Blair Memorial Community Hospital surrounded by family.

It has been said that Don was “Blair’s oldest teenager” with his forever-young, fun and carefree attitude, and appreciation for loud music as he cruised Blair in one of his many cars he owned throughout his life. He lived an amusing, happy-go-lucky life with many close friends who all appreciated his ability to make you smile or laugh. He enjoyed starting conversation with strangers and leaving as new friends.

He was born on June 2, 1944 to Harry and Mildred Beck. He graduated from Blair High School in 1962. He was drafted into the Army in June 1965 where he completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and went on to serve in Germany. In 1968 he joined the Navy.

Afterwards, he worked as an electrician for Corky Hayes Electrical. In 1976, he joined HunTel Communication as an installer, troubleshooter, and payphone repairman. After HunTel was bought out, he continued to work for American Broadband as a head locator. He retired in 2014. Don was known for his customer service, always helping people especially after-hours or on the weekends when there were problems.

He married Margaret Lammers in 1971 and they had one child, Jennifer. They later divorced.

He grew up in the Baptist church, attended the Methodist church for a number of years, and enjoyed attending County Bible Church with his family for many years. He was a believer in our Lord. Don was a member of the Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for 43 years. In his retirement, he volunteered at the Blair hospital main entrance greeting guests as well as driving cars for Sid Dillon.

For over 25 years he enjoyed coordinating the annual Blair Fireworks Show. He spearheaded the collection of donations, planning and shooting the show at Neihart Park and then later at Blair High School. Up until 2 years ago, he collected donations to ensure our community had a fabulous show celebrating America.

Don was known for being a truck/car guy and was always trading vehicles and making them nicer than when he got them. As a single guy, many wondered why he always had two or three vehicles at the same time. Of the 89 vehicles he owned in his lifetime, they were all immaculate and spotless.

The light of his life was his granddaughter Caitlyn. He adored her and bragged to everyone he met. He found joy watching her in sports, going to her music events, taking her to school, and spoiling her. Don is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mildred, brother-in-law Robert Taylor, and one nephew.

Don is survived by his daughter Jennifer (Heath) Reyzlik of Blair, granddaughter Caitlyn Haggstrom, sister Patricia Taylor of Fremont, and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us in celebrating his life on Friday, November 6, at 10:30am, at Reach Church (formerly Country Bible Church) in Blair, NE. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2:00 to 7:00PM with family receiving friends from 5:00-7:00PM at Campbell Aman Funeral Home.

Charitable donations can be sent to Blair Fine Arts Booster Club or Jeanette Hunt Animal Shelter.

Arrangements by Campbell-Aman Funeral Home.

#2 Funeral Leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Donald Eugene Beck

Born June 2, 1944 Blair, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest November 1, 2020 Blair, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10:30 am Friday, November 6, 2020 Reach Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Pastor Glen Hudson. Eulogist: John Steyer. Vocalist: Jessica Reade. Pianist: Julie Shaffer. Musical Selections: “When I Get Where I’m Going”, “I Can Only Imagine”, “You Raise Me Up”, “Amazing Grace”

Pallbearers: Steve Sick, Jared Tighe, Dave Aten, Mark Neiburg, Steve Jones, Pete Casarotto

Honorary Pallbearers: Rod Schiltz, Lloyd Peterson, Tim Gross, Larry Dennis, Blair Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department

#3-Published in the Enterprise 6 Nov 2020

'There was no stranger'-Blair native enjoyed cars, family and serving his community

By Elizabeth A. Elliott - news@enterprisepub.com

If a person couldn't find 76-year-old Don Beck in his house, chances are he was on the road or at the car wash keeping his beloved cars immaculate.

Or he was soaking up time with his granddaughter, Caitlyn, listening to her music or watching her in sports competitions.

If Beck, who died Nov. 1, wasn't with family, he was making friends within the community of Blair. His daughter, Jennifer Reyzlik, remembers her father striking up conversations with anyone around.

"There was no stranger," she said. "He was a social guy, he'd start talking to people at restaurants and I'd ask him if he knew them. He didn't, but they'd find something in common to talk about."

Reyzlik said her dad was described as "Blair's oldest teenager."

"This town is amazing, everyone loved my dad," she said. "He was well-known in this town, born and raised and only left for military service in Germany. He had a bubbly personality and was happy-go-lucky."

Beck worked for years at HunTel and continued with American Broadband before retiring in 2014. Reyzlik said she learned her dad would go out on late calls with work to help people who had problems after hours.

"He'd say he wouldn't want to be without service until Monday so why should they," she said.

He loved people, always wanted to help people and bring a smile to their faces."

One way he brought smiles to many faces was through his coordination of the annual Blair Fireworks Show, which he worked on for more than 25 years. Tim Gross worked with him on the fundraising.

"It was always enjoyable for him to throw a handful of checks at me and go get more," Gross said. "He was a fun guy to be around, very personable and cared a lot about this town."

Gross said Beck was the guy who pushed the fundraising and it wasn't the same when he couldn't help. "He knew a lot of people in this town," Gross said. "He's going to be missed for sure."

Reyzlik said her father would approach people and no one would turn him down for donations.

"He'd tell them to take pride in their community and he didn't care what people thought of him," she said.

Beck was a member of the Blair Volunteer Fire department for 43 years. Blair Fire Chief Joe Leonard said Beck was a very down-to-earth gentleman.

"He was always willing to lend a helping hand with anyone," he said. "He helped a lot with Gateway to the West, fundraising, all of our special events."

BVFD member Carl Rennerfeldt said Beck was on the board of trustees for the department and coordinated the schedule for renting the hall.

"He did a fantastic job and it was one of his pride and joys," Rennerfeldt said. "He did a great job on the fire calls. He did a lot of great work, was one of those behind the scene guys and everything he did he always did a great job."

After retirement, Beck greeted guests at the Memorial Community Hospital and Health System and drove cars for Sid Dillon.

Rod Schiltz at Sid Dillon said Beck had been buying cars from there for more than 40 years.

"I've sold him 89 cars in 40 years," he said. "He's the type of guy that would buy one and then look for another. He really liked Corvettes, sporty cars. He had a few fancy foreign cars, just about everything. The most he had at once was as many as five. He'd buy new one time and used the next."

More than his work and hobbies, Reyzlik said Beck was "an amazing dad and awesome grandpa."

#4- Published in the Pilot-Tribune 10 Nov 2020

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Members of the Blair Volunteer Fire Department said farewell to one of their own Friday.

Don Beck, who served the department for 43 years as a firefighter and EMT, died Nov. 1. He was 76.

Members of the department gathered during Beck's funeral. Beck's gear sat on the rear of a firetruck outside of Reach Church, north of Blair.

As family and friends left the church, fireworks were set off. Beck coordinated the Blair Fireworks Show for more than 25 years, raising funds for the display.

The funeral procession passed by the North Fire Station where the department's aerial truck displayed a large American flag.

A final call for Beck was dispatched by Washington County Communications.

“Having heard no response from Firefighter/EMT Don Beck, we know that Don has responded to his last call on earth and that the fire department in the hereafter has a new responder.

“Don, we have the watch now. God bless and rest in peace.”

~~~Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska~~~

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