Christian Ernest Beck

Christian E. "Chris" Beck, a decorated Army veteran, devoted father and grandfather, successful businessman, and respected member of his community, passed away on September 27, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy of service, perseverance, generosity, and dedication to family, country, and community.

Chris was born on April 22, 1947, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Albert Beck and Helena (Schneider) Beck. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Linton, North Dakota, homesteaded in 1904 and known as the Two Heart Ranch. The ranch played a central role in shaping his strong work ethic, deep roots, and lifelong appreciation for family and community. Chris attended local schools and graduated from Linton High School in 1965, beginning a life marked by dedication, perseverance, and service to those he loved.

With a deep sense of duty and patriotism, Chris answered the call to serve his country by volunteering for the United States Army on February 7, 1967. Following basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Leadership School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he attended Civil Engineering Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 864th Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado. There he served as Battalion S-3 (Operations Officer) before entering rotary-wing flight training at Fort Wolters, Texas, and Fort Rucker, Alabama, earning his Army aviator wings in 1969.

Chris served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and Army officer. During a nighttime combat mission in 1969, while attempting to extract seven wounded soldiers, his helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Despite the dangerous conditions, his actions reflected the courage, leadership, and selfless commitment that defined his military service. He sustained serious injuries and was evacuated to the United States for recovery. For wounds received in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart.

After months of rehabilitation at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Colorado, Chris returned to active duty and was assigned to Fort Carson Airfield, where he served as a maintenance pilot commander and test pilot. In 1970, he again volunteered to return to Vietnam to assist the 937th Engineer Group in establishing and preparing its aviation support unit for operational service. Following completion of that mission, he returned to the United States and was eventually assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington. He concluded his active-duty service in 1973 but continued serving his country through the Army Reserve, ultimately attaining the rank of Major.

Like many veterans of his generation, Chris faced significant challenges upon returning home. He carried the effects of combat throughout his life, including post-traumatic stress and shrapnel wounds sustained in Vietnam. Yet he met those challenges with determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to building a better future for his family.

Committed to lifelong learning, Chris began attending St. Martin's College in Lacey, Washington, under the GI Bill, earning his bachelor's degree in 1976. He later completed a Master of Business Administration degree from City University. During his college years, a fellow veteran and pilot introduced him to the insurance profession, mentoring him in much the same way Chris would later mentor others. While completing his studies, Chris worked part-time in the insurance business and quickly distinguished himself as one of the region's top-performing agents.

Following graduation, Chris embarked on a successful career in the insurance and financial services industry. He began with the John Hancock Companies and later founded Chris Beck Insurance Agency in Yelm, Washington. Through honesty, hard work, and genuine concern for his clients, he earned the trust and respect of countless individuals and families throughout the region. Over the course of more than four decades, he helped others protect their families, prepare for the future, and achieve financial security. He sold the agency and retired in 2016.

Just as a fellow veteran had once helped him transition into civilian life, Chris took great pride in helping others succeed. Throughout his career, he mentored and trained more than 40 veterans, friends, and family members in the insurance profession, providing opportunities and encouragement that changed lives. He often reflected on the importance of helping others get started and was proud to see many of those individuals continue serving their own communities and mentoring others in turn.

In 1968, Chris married Bernice Brown in Linton, North Dakota. Following his service in the Army, they made their home on acreage near Rainier, Washington, where they raised their family. Though the couple later divorced in 2018, they shared many years together and the joy of raising three children.

He is survived by his former wife, and the mother of their three children, Bernice (Brown) Beck; his son, Brian Beck of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Brian's son, Colton Beck, a student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia; his daughter, Christi Beck (James Johnson) of Lakewood, Washington; and his son, Branon Beck, and his wife, Erin (Ponti) Beck, of Olympia, Washington, along with their son, Hudson Beck. Chris took great pride in his children and grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings, Joseph Ohlhauser, Helen (Beck) Roehrich, and Kathryn (Beck) Aschenbrenner, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert C. Beck and Helena (Schneider) Kruschwitz; and by his siblings Albert Ohlhauser, Emery W. Beck, Alvina (Beck) Ohlhauser, and Carol (Beck) Wolf.

Chris believed strongly in giving back to his community. He was an active member of the Rainier Lions Club, the Rainier Senior Center, the American Legion, and St. Columban Catholic Church in Yelm. Whether serving fellow veterans, supporting local charitable efforts, or participating in church and community activities, Chris's generous spirit and willingness to help others left a lasting impression on those who knew him.

Chris will be remembered for his unwavering patriotism, courage, leadership, strong work ethic, and devotion to family and community. As a soldier, aviator, businessman, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, he lived a life marked by service and purpose. His life reflected the qualities he admired most: courage in adversity, loyalty to family and friends, devotion to country, and a willingness to help others succeed. His legacy endures in the family he loved, the community he served, and the many lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

John 15:13