Byron grew up in Elk Point, South Dakota, which is where he met Helen Larsen, his wife. They started dating at age 14 and were inseparable for more than 75 years. Byron went to college at the University of Iowa and served in the Army (1954-56) after his third year. After the Army, Byron returned to Iowa to finish his degree and then went on to law school. Byron and Helen then moved to Kansas City, where he had a long career as a trial lawyer, finally retiring from law practice at the age of 70 or so. After he retired, he did volunteer work for the Innocence Project.
Byron always cared about other people, and wanted to do right. He challenged all those around him by his example and believed that how you play the game is more important than who wins or loses. In the end this quality was evident to everyone, and he was widely loved, by friends, neighbors, his sons, Eric, Steve and Curt Beck, their respective spouses, Ann, Nancy and Vicki Beck, his grandchildren Matt (and Matt’s wife Andrea), Emily, Elin and Erik Beck, and his new great-granddaughter, Taylor Beck. He is sorely missed.
There will be no service. Byron would not have wanted any. The family intends to honor his memory quietly and wishes to thank all family and friends for their kind thoughts.
