Baker City, Baker County, Oregon
Arlyn Duane Beck, 89, of Baker City, died Dec. 28, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
The rosary was said Sunday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. A Memorial Mass was celebrated Monday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Revs. Julian Cassar and Camillus Fernando concelebrated the Mass.
Arlyn was born on Aug. 14, 1916, at Molalla, the second of four sons born to Walter A. and Agnes M. Robbins Beck. He received his early schooling in the Meadowbrook area near Molalla. When he was 12 the family moved to La Grande, where he finished high school and attended Eastern Oregon Normal School (now Eastern Oregon University).
Arlyn’s roots are buried deep in Oregon. His great-great-grandfather, Jacob Robbins, left Indiana in 1851 and traveled the Oregon Trail settling in the Willamette Valley. Another ancestor was among the first residents of Granite and later an early mayor of Sumpter.
Arlyn joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 where he was introduced to his first work with the U.S. Forest Service. His career with the Forest Service spanned 34 years, always in the shadow of his beloved Eagle Mountains.
On Nov. 27, 1939, he married Jeanette Delepierre. They were blessed with a beloved son and two cherished daughters. He was a loving husband, devoted father and proud patriarch of his grandchildren. His legacy is one of hard work and unquestioned integrity.
He was blessed with a solid love and marriage of 66 years, a successful career and the loving respect of five generations of family. He was a member of the Catholic Church, the Elks Lodge, the Forest Service 30-Year Club and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; his children and their spouses, Walter “Wally” and Kay Beck, Arlyne and Jack Sater and Barbara “Bobbi” and John Higgins; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, James Edwin Beck; and three brothers, Maurice, Howard and Ralph.
Since flowers made him sneeze, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. This may be done through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 6, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
