Edward John Beck

Ed Beck was born October 3, 1941, in New York, NY to Leonard Beck and Catherine Scholtens Beck.

As a small child, Ed lived in Long Beach, Long Island, NY, but when his parents divorced, he moved to Miami with his mom and older brother. Ed was fun-loving, good natured and very athletic. He loved to tell stories of leaping over fences while playing with his mom, playing cowboys and Indians in the backyard with his brother and playing “horse” basketball games in the driveway. In 1951 tragedy struck when his mom passed away after a long illness. Ed and his brother moved back to Long Beach to be with their father and his wife, Polly Beck.

Ed loved his childhood. Growing up in Long Beach was magical for him. He had an abundance of friends and nothing but the fondest of memories of this close-knit community. Ed excelled in school in both academics and sports. He also excelled at washing pots and bussing tables in his dad’s steak house restaurant recounting stories of having world-class dish pan hands!

Ed’s first love was sports, and it lasted a lifetime. He attended Long Beach High School (Class of 1959) where he played varsity football, basketball, and baseball. He was President of his sophomore class, class representative and a member of the Varsity Club. Ed was an exceptional athlete and was selected to the Nassau County All-Star Honors team. Ed excelled academically especially in math and science where he scored in the highest percentile in the Regent Exams. He was also voted to be the LBHS, Class of 1959 “Don Juan” so his charm, quick wit, kindness, and good looks were shining through.

After high school Ed attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on both football and basketball scholarships. He again excelled in both academics and sports but left UNC, losing his military deferment. Ed was drafted into the Army in 1961 and in 1962 was selected to attend the West Point Prep School in Ft. Belvoir, VA. It was at “Poop” School where he learned to play lacrosse and met more lifetime friends who he loved dearly.

In 1963, Ed joined the USMA Class of 1967. He was a 21-year-old Plebe (freshman). Because he was older than most of his classmates, he was affectionately given the nickname “Papa” which stayed with him throughout his lifetime.

While at West Point, Ed became a beloved classmate known for his affable personality, world class wit and willingness to always put others first. Classmates commented that Ed Beck defined the word “gentleman”. As he grew older and wiser, West Point and his classmates became part of him and his soul. His classmates became more than classmates, they became his brothers. Attending West Point was a privilege that enriched his life and that of his family.

After graduating from West Point, Ed continued his military education by completing Ranger Training, Airborne Training, Jumpmaster School and Signal Officer Basic and Advanced courses. Ed served in Vietnam and Korea and was highly decorated earning two Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal. Ed also received a Master of Science Degree in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

In 1976 Ed received an honorable discharge from the Army and continued his professional career working at IBM where he met the love of his life, Cindy. On June 4, 1983, after dating for 5 years, they were married at the Cadet Chapel holding their reception at the historic Thayer Hotel at West Point. Following IBM, Ed continued his career as President of Peregrine Systems and then started his own company, Ed Beck & Associates, Inc.

Ed loved fishing and golfing adventures with his classmates. Spending time together brought ear-to-ear smiles and laughter to everyone. The stories got better every year and Ed’s blue eyes would twinkle with delight. Ed felt a tremendous sense of devotion to West Point and “The Long Gray Line” and he always carried the memories of his fallen classmates close to his heart.

His greatest adventure of all was the love story he shared with his beloved wife of 40 years Cindy, who he called “CJ”. Ed was absolutely devoted to Cindy, and they were truly soulmates. His first love may have been sports but there is no doubt his last love was Cindy.

In May 2020, Ed was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig disease (ALS). He lived with ALS as only Eddie “Papa” Beck could, with grit, grace and humor. On June 18, 2023, after a valiant 3-year battle, a flight of beautiful angels lifted him to heaven.

Eddie Beck is and will always be loved and admired by all who knew him. He has been referred to as a “class treasure” and he was a treasure to us all. He will be remembered for his kind, gentle and happy nature, his love for his classmates, his quick wit and sense of humor; those were his super powers. His love for his family, especially his grandchildren, was what brought him the greatest joy. Ed Beck exemplified human kindness. As a husband, father, grandfather, classmate, bestie or partner-in-crime, he was unsurpassed, and he left this world a better place.

Ed, sadly, was predeceased by his granddaughter, Emeline (Emmy) Miller, but is beloved and remembered by Cindy, (CJ), his loving wife of 40 years, 3 beautiful children, Morgan Miller (Bode), Garrett Beck (Annie) and Erin Arend (Jon) and 14 remarkable grandchildren. Ed is also survived by his sister, Linda Murphy (Jerry), brothers Leonard Beck (Pam), Wayne Beheler (Pam) and many nephews and nieces.

Ed and Cindy’s journey together as husband and wife will end in the same place where it began….

Ed’s final resting place will be the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.

Well Done! Eddie “Papa” Beck

“Be Thou at Peace.”