Richard Wentworth Beck

Dr. Richard Wentworth Beck, of Bella Vista, Ark. (3/24/1934 - 7/11/2017), born in Portsmouth Ohio to Stoudemire Carlton and Lillian Belle {Walker} Beck. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Portsmouth High School as president of his class. He served in the United States Air Force for eight years, during that time devised the pay system for the Air Force Academy. After discharge he attended The Ohio State University on the G.I. Bill, earning his masters and doctorate degrees. He married his late wife, Sharan Laessle and had two children. He worked for the Columbus school system for 30 years as teacher, counselor, and administrator. His last position was director of assessment and testing. After that retirement he became a professor at Urbana University in Urbana, Ohio, for 17 years, retiring in 2004. At that time Dr. Beck left Ohio and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas to assist an old friend from high school, Dr. Ginger Hamilton. Over the course of time they decided friendship had developed into a 45-year delayed marriage. They were simply slow in recognizing what they had. This began one of the most active periods of his life. Together they started Clever Rogues Theatre, wrote and produced 6 plays in 3 years, donating profits to local non-profit groups. They were active members of St. Theodore's Episcopal Church, co-hosted an interview talk show for the local volunteer TV station, worked on the election committee for the current mayor of Bella vista, participated in local events, and traveled extensively to China, Egypt, Alaska, Mexico, multiple cruises through the Caribbean, and many areas of our United States. Dr. Beck is survived by his son, James Herbert Beck in Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter, Pam Beck Bork in Columbus, Ohio; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry in Kettering, Ohio; sister, Lois Wallace of Hide Away Hills, Ohio; and, of course, Dr. Ginger Hamilton, his beloved wife of 130 months. Memorial services will be held on Monday July 17, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Theodore's Episcopal Church, 1001 Kingsland Road, Bella Vista, Ark. 72714. Father Will Lowry will officiate. Memorials may be donated to the church or to Boy Scout Troop #3410 via the church. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.