HANS RAYMOND BECK

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HANS RAYMOND (RAY) BECK On July 25, 2017, at the age 91, Hans Raymond (Ray) Beck passed away peacefully in Vancouver, BC. He was the beloved husband of Alma and proud father of his five children: Laura, Mary (Lang Evans), Ruth, Judi (Dave Small) and John (Kathy Beck). He was born September 21, 1925 in Winnipeg, MB to the late Johann (Joe) and Svanahviti (Svana) Beck. His brothers Allan and Richard (Dick) preceded him in death. Left to cherish memories of him are his sister Joan Publow (Robert) and his brother Michael Beck. Ray was also the fond grandfather of Shae, Jarran, Shannon (Brian), Tristan, Oriane, Lucas, Hilary and Michael, and great-grandchildren Arlen and Lily. Ray grew up in Winnipeg, and at 19 he "rode the rails" west to work at a logging camp near Port Alberni as a "whistle punk", choker man, and second and third loader. Ray graduated (gold medal) with a B.Sc. in Engineering (electrical) from the University of Manitoba in 1947. He started working for the Canadian National Railway (CNR) in Toronto in 1949. Ray met Alma on a blind date, and they married August 23, 1952 in Toronto. Soon after, they sailed on the RMS Queen Elizabeth to live in England for two years. Ray was one of the first Canadians to receive an Athlone Fellowship, and he obtained a Diploma of the Imperial College in Electrical Engineering in London in 1953. Ray returned to Canada to work for CNR in Toronto, but was soon relocated to Montreal where he served CNR for the remainder of his 38 year career in Signals and Communications. Ray had fond memories of his work mates, loved work travel, and enjoyed international consulting in Mexico and China. During his working years, Ray and Alma lived in Glenmount (TMR) where he enjoyed swimming, gardening, skating, and skiing. He was active in Scouts Canada and ran the Terry Fox 10 km run every year until he was over 75. Ray and Alma retired to Vancouver in 1989, where he enjoyed skiing at Grouse into his 80s, and woodworking at Brock House Society. Ray had a diligent work ethic and always said "arrive at work before the boss...and leave after they do." He had a smile and twinkle in his eye, a warm greeting for all he met; he was never pretentious and treated everyone as an equal. He loved music, sing-a-longs, and had stories to tell about people and life. The family will have a private service in celebration of Ray's life. Donations in his name can be made to Canadian Diabetes.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2017