Charles Fred Beck, 96, was born on August 7, 1926, in Chicago, IL to Fred and Clara (nee Finn) Beck. He died Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at JourneyCare Hospice at Northwest Community Hospital, in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
After serving in the Navy during WW II as an electrician's mate third class, Charles attended night school for 12 years and graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology. That led to a 42-year career with Sargent & Lundy, where he retired as an associate partner. Charles started the computer division where he pioneered the use of computers to design and engineer power plants. He is a past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers and member of the Union League Club of Chicago.
Charles was a man of deep faith and was an active member of St. Peter Lutheran Church for 60 years. He was nicknamed "Sunshine" by his friend Pastor Robert Bartz, whom he met at St. Martini Lutheran Church in Chicago.
Charles and his beloved wife of 74 years, Lorraine, were among the first residents of Luther Village.
Charles is survived by his wife, Lorraine (nee Mandarino) Beck; his children, Stephen Beck, Barbara (Safwat) Hassan, Howard (Barbara) Beck, Charlie Beck, Lauren Hoffstadt, and Nancy (Dean) Miller; his grandchildren Andy (Jennifer) Beck, Jordan (Becca) Beck, Shannon (Chad) Lohrentz, Trevor Fitzgerald, Marcus (Susie) Beck, Anna (Steven) Janosik, Jessica (Zach) Jarling, Jackie (Colin) Trocha, Jenna (Josh) Gause, Jillian Hoffstadt, Christine (Nick) Wade, and Darren Miller; and his great grandchildren Jack, Ainsley, Nolan, Tess, Elsa, Cadence, Olive, Finn, Hannah, Brynne, Gia, Jordynn, Lily and Beau.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister.
Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, June 2, 2023, at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004 and on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 1:30 pm until the time of the Funeral Service at 2:00 pm at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 West Olive, Arlington Heights, Illinois. Private interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lutheran Life Communities Foundation, 3150 Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, www.lutheranlifecommunities.org.
Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.
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