Charles L. Beck

Charles "Chuck" Leon Beck, 84, of St Peters passed away surrounded by family on May 14, 2023 following a brief illness.  

Husband of 44 years to Elizabeth "Beth" (nee Hackmann). He is survived by children: Melodie (Douglas) Smith, Charles Beck Jr, Marlynn Foster, Angela (Philip) Adams, and Ami Hare; grandchildren: Kimberly (Greg) Forbis, Father Christopher Smith, Jessica Chartrand, Robert Adams,  DeVaughn Brown, Kevonne Brown, Teivon Brown, Rai'Vyn Howard, Kaytlyn Howard,  great-grand-children Lily Foster, Timothy Forbis, Maggie Forbis, and Lutin Chartrand,  many nieces and nephews, and his canine companion Missy.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers.

Chuck was born on October 24, 1938 in Warrenton, MO to Oscar and (Mary)  Edna (nee Morris) Beck.  He has three older brothers: Tilford "Tip" Beck, Wilford "Bill" Beck, and Henry "Eddie" Beck.  They grew up working on cars and getting into trouble. 

Chuck was a United States Marine.  Following active service, he started his 42 year career by becoming an apprentice floor layer.  He was a floor layer known for installing complex flooring designs and calculating square yards and estimated costs for even large jobs without a calculator.  After 42 years of laying floors, his back and knees told it was time for him to retire.

Like many others in the Beck clan, Chuck had oil in his veins.  Whether it was driving fast, working in the garage, going to the car show, the antique car museum, the muscle car show, the demolition derby, cars were never far from his mind.  He loved to comb Auto Trader and the internet for new cars, or an extra car that was just fun to drive.  Sometimes, he even tried to sell the cars he bought.   

Chuck was well known for assigning embarrassing nicknames to family and close friends.   Since Chuck and Beth enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises, it was helpful that Chuck never met a stranger.  He loved his coffee black. And he could carry on long conversations with anyone, regaling companions with stories about cars, childhood mischief, fishing, cars, sports, workplace adventures, hunting, cars, vacations, the St Louis Cardinals, and cars.

He will be greatly missed.