Robert L. Beck

BECK, Robert L. Portage Mr. Beck passed away Saturday afternoon, September 22, 2007 at his home. He was born September 2, 1924, in Otsego, Michigan, the son of the late Samuel and Bessie Sherman Beck. Bob was a veteran of the United States Army, Ninth Air Force serving as an aerial gunner and photographer in the 410th Bombardment Group during World War II. He was employed as an engineer for the Ingersoll Company in Kalamazoo and then by Simpson-Lee Paper Company in Vicksburg for many years. He owned and operated Hoffman?s Party Store in Portage from 1969 until 1984, when he retired. During his retirement, Bob was a bus driver for the Portage Public Schools. On September 13, 1975, he was united in marriage to Mara Morescalchi Grauman, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Donna Beck of Portage, James Mila Beck of Kalamazoo, and Barbara Randy Kennedy of Comstock; 2 stepchildren, Alan Cecilia Grauman of Vicksburg, and Judy Grauman-Morescalchi who resides in Italy; 9 grandchildren, Kenneth Hiser, Kimberly Justin Kramer, Erin Damian Harris, Adam Sara Beck, Bryan Beck, Emily Beck, Thomas Andrea Nesbitt, Joshua Kennedy, and Marc Kennedy; 4 step-grandchildren, Jaime Chris Payne, Jesse Angelina Grauman, and Tiffany and Allen Morescalchi; and 10 great-grandchildren. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services for Mr. Beck will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Avenue. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services on Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Robinson Cemetery, in Pine Grove Township, Gobles, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to Kairos Dwelling Home for Terminally Ill, 2945 Gull Road, or the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum.