Robert J. Van Beck

VAN BECK, Robert J., Sr.
of Portage Robert J. Van Beck, Sr. passed away peacefully on March 4, 2010 at Bronson Hospital after a battle with a chronic lung condition with his family at his side. Dr. Van Beck was born on July 7, 1931, the only child of John and Olive Leile Stevens Van Beck, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended WMU Campus School and, for a short period of time, Washington Elementary School. From age 7 to 14 he was a member of the St. Luke's Episcopal Church Boys Choir. He was graduated from State High School in 1949, where he was a member of the football and tennis teams. After attending Eastern Michigan University and Western Michigan University, where he was an active member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, he went on to be graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 1956, where he was affiliated with Delta Sigma Delta. He then spent two years as a Full Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy as a staff dentist, stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. While in the Navy, he also practiced dentistry part time in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Dr. Van Beck made many lifetime friends during this period of his life. Dr. Van Beck returned to Kalamazoo in 1958 and began a dental office in Portage, Michigan, and maintained a practice there until his retirement in 1997. Dr. Van Beck loved his work and his patients and made many lasting friendships among them. He participated in the dental exam programs of the Portage Public Schools and provided free dental help to many people in need. During this time he was a member of the Portage Optimist Club and became a lifetime member of the Kalamazoo Valley Dental Society and the Michigan Dental Society. In 1959 he returned to WMU and received a BS degree in chemistry. Dr. Van Beck was a co-owner of the Wayside Lanes Bowling Lanes, The Colony Club, and WYYY Radio Station. In 1963 he was married to Mary Martha Van Giessen, who survives. Together they raised six children: Robert J., Jr., Micah J. Julie J. Ullrey, Dr. Peter J. Van Beck, and David E. Angela Campbell Curry, all of Kalamazoo; Naomi S.Chris Bouwman, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Hosea M. Curry Deceased, They have 5 grandchildren, Haley Ann, Kylee Rae, and Madison Renee Van Beck, Brandon Lee and Marissa Faith Bouwman. He was very active in downhill skiing, snowmobiling, tennis and the Boy Scouts, and involved his children in all of these activities. The family went on many skiing trips together all over the United States and Canada. Raising and loving his family was the most important thing in his life, and life will never be the same for them without him. Mary's parents and brothers and their families became his extended family and were an integral part of his life. He played tennis and had dinner with Mary's brother, Bart, every Thursday for over 30 years. Dr. Van Beck was a member of Prairie Edge Christian Reformed Church since 1979, served as a deacon, and was a member of Men's Breakfast Bible Study. He was a past member of Bible Study Fellowship. One of his great joys in life was seeing his children and then his grandchildren participating in church activities at Prairie Edge. His father, John Van Beck was Kalamazoo's top Ford salesman for many years, and this undoubtedly stimulated Dr. Van Beck's great interest in cars. He was the original owner of a 1959 Corvette at the time of his death. During his retirement he spent many happy hours visiting car museums and displays and having lunch with his friends. In 2001 he started his second career as a dentist working for Intercare Community Health Network with clinics in Benton Harbor, Bangor, Holland, Pullman, Eau Claire, and its mobile unit facilities. He developed a very close bond with his colleagues at Intercare, and it was a very special and rewarding experience for him. Besides his parents, Dr. Van Beck was predeceased by a very special uncle and aunt, Douglas and Ethel Stevens Noble, and their daughter, Nancy Wightman. He is survived by two special cousins, Judy Noble J. Rod Barnes and Michael Linda Noble and a number of other relatives. The family will meet with friends from 2-5PM on Sunday, March 7 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 Centre Ave, and on Monday following the service in the church fellowship hall. A memorial service will be held 11:00AM Monday followed by a time of food and fellowship at the Prairie Edge Christian Reformed Church 9316 Oakland Dr., Portage. Cremation has taken place and a private burial at Riverside Cemetery will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Prairie Edge Christian Reformed Church designated to those in need through the Benevolence Fund or Loaves and Fishes through the church; or a charity of your choice. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, guestbook, memories or condolences for the family.