Dr. Beck was born July 27, 1923 to Edward and Elizabeth Beck in Springfield, IL. A dutiful son and loving brother, husband, and father, Edward was always willing to help those in need and did his best, in an imperfect world, to follow the teachings of Christ.
Edward served his country in the Army as an amphibious infantry sergeant during WWII in the South Pacific with the 382nd regiment, 96th infantry division. A member of American Legion Post 525 and life member of the VFW, he was past chaplain of post 1337.
In 1956 Edward provided the land for and was a founding member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Lake Jackson, Texas. He continued to serve Christ in the youth ministries at Hope Lutheran Church in Park Forest, IL and St. Mark Lutheran in Mount Prospect, and as a Stephen’s Minister at both St. Mark Lutheran and St. Paul Lutheran in Mount Prospect.
After obtaining his BS degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana, he continued at Tulane University in New Orleans with an MS in chemical engineering and a PhD in chemistry. He currently is a licensed Professional Engineer in four states. During his varied scientific career, Dr. Beck was active in Sigma XI, American Chemical Society (emeritus member), American Waterworks Association, National Association of Air Pollution Control, and National Society of Professional Engineers. Dr. Beck’s many publications include application of electro-chemistry to rendering and meat packing, chemistry of soaps and detergents, processing feed and food products, and compacting and granulation processes. He pioneered the use of gas chromatography in criminal investigations with Andy Principe of the Chicago Police and founder of the Northern Illinois Crime Lab.
He is survived by daughters Mary Louise Scott (Peter) of Witney, United Kingdom and Penelope Jean Skrzynski (Rodney) of Mount Prospect; sons Charles Edward Beck of Montgomery, Alabama and John David Beck (Barbara) of Mount Prospect, granddaughters Anne Marie Scott of Zurich, Switzerland, Rachael Jane Scott of Reading, United Kingdom, Rebecca Scott of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and Consuelo Caridad Beck of Montgomery, Alabama; and grandsons Edward Santiago Beck of Miami, Florida, Benjamin Edward Beck Skrzynski of Mount Prospect and James William Beck of Mount Prospect.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Pearl Louise Beck, sister Mary Elizabeth Beck and daughter Carol Ann Beck.
Visitation Monday, 3-9 PM at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Rd. (at Northwest Highway) Mt. Prospect.
Visitation Tuesday 9:30 AM until Services 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 100 S. School St., Mt. Prospect.
Internment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Section 4 Gravesite 1990.