Col. Edmund Sterling Beck

Colonel Edmund Sterling Beck, of San Antonio, entered into eternal rest on October 12, 2022 at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his parents Victor and Eleanor Beck; his sister Jeannine Hickey; and his daughter Denise Beck. He is survived by his wife Jutta Beck; his daughter Bernice Beck and spouse Lesti Huff; his brother Victor Beck and spouse Janis; his loyal worker Ernesto Morales; and his cat Charlie.

Edmund was born on July 23, 1934 in San Antonio and grew up on a farm which is now Hill Country Village. He attended Alamo Heights High School and graduated in 1952. He then attended Texas A&I in Kingsville and received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry. After graduating, he received his orders and went into the army as a young lieutenant. In 1957, Edmund was assigned to the 4th Armored Division and stationed in Germany where he met Jutta. He fell in love instantly and they were married on June 11, 1958. During his early years in the Army, Edmund did two tours in Vietnam. In 1972, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College located in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He then returned to Germany to be the Commander of Barton Barracks. There he promoted boxing to boost morale and even hosted Floyd Patterson, former world heavyweight champion. In 1976, Col. Beck attended the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he received a master’s degree in Strategic Studies. During his service, he was a Combat and Strategic C-E Officer, as well as a Computer Systems Software and Analysis Officer. He served in the military for 26 years and his list of accomplishments and awards are endless.

After retiring, Edmund joined his wife Jutta at her salon, Jutta Beck Skincare Institute on W. Sunset. Together they created Leo Unlimited, Inc., a company which imports and distributes European skin care products across the US. During this time, Edmund turned his interests to real estate, which became his never-ending passion. Having owned nearly 50 commercial properties in San Antonio, one of his proudest achievements was the development of The Arts Residences and the Thompson Hotel located across the river from the Tobin Center, with his business partner and friend, Chuck Brehm. His latest project is the Riverplace on the River Walk, which will include the Dream Hotel.

Edmund expanded his real estate endeavors to Europe. While visiting Prague with his wife, they fell in love with the city and began purchasing real estate there. They then traveled to Veliko Tarnovo, a small town in Bulgaria, where an old historical inn needed restoration. With the help of Lubo Markov and Silvia Yordanova, the Becks transformed the Hadji Nikoli Inn to become the Bulgarian Building of the Year in 2010. Edmund has since renovated a second hotel in VT called Arte. In an interview once in Bulgaria, he explained that he was not investing in Bulgaria to make a profit; he wanted to do it for the people of Bulgaria.

When Ed wasn’t wheeling and dealing real estate projects over his phone, he enjoyed working in their garden along the River Walk. Roses, roses, everywhere roses! It was not uncommon for Ed to come inside from the garden with thorn pricks on his arms. One of Ed’s favorite musicians was singer/songwriter Hank Williams. One could sometimes coax him to sing along with such songs as “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Jambalaya (On the Bayou).” As most people know, Ed had a great sense of humor and often enjoyed “pulling someone’s leg!” That’s probably why one of his favorite movies was “The Jerk” with Steve Martin. And finally, having lived all his life as a true Texan, Ed’s favorite foods were Texas barbecue and crispy beef tacos!

Ed was a very generous man and had a very caring heart. He was a loving husband and father and will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.

A graveside service for Edmund will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Beck family.